The deity of Jesus

Hundreds of Bible verses refer to the deity and eternal existence of Jesus. It is reasonable to believe that He is the Son of God, came from heaven, and God

An interesting topic that we are going to address in this writing is the person and essence of Jesus Christ, especially his divinity. It can be said that he and his work are the foundation on which the Christian faith rests. If he is not what he said of himself, and if he did not do what he said he had come to do, then our faith has no basis. If he is taken away from the Christian faith, then what remains is nothing but the shells of religiosity; its core is missing.

   Before we study the deity of Jesus, it is good to discuss the reliability of the Bible, or the New Testament in particular, because its writings are the most important documentary about Jesus. There are no other sources that would tell his life as accurately and which would be eyewitness descriptions. Some scholars do like to cite sources such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, or the Gospel of Judah, but they are characterized by the fact that they were written even a century or two centuries after the actual events and they do not feel as an eyewitness description. They have never been universally acknowledged or even known, while New Testament descriptions have always been well-known. Descriptive of it is that over 24,000 Greek and other early (100 - 400 A.D.) manuscripts of the New Testament or parts of the New Testament exist. This number is huge when compared to the fact that Homer's Iliad is second in terms of ancient texts, and of it there are only 643 surviving documents - the difference is almost 40 times. Even about Caesar's Gallic War, there are only 10 surviving documents, which is an unusually small number compared to the New Testament, and still no one doubts the reliability of this work.

EYEWITNESS OBSERVATIONS AND OTHER SOURCES. If we are to look for grounds that the New Testament descriptions of Jesus ’life are reliable, then two important things must come true. They are:

1. Eyewitness observations. The first thing is that the descriptions are based on direct eyewitness observations. That is, the descriptions are made by the eyewitnesses themselves or such individuals have been interviewed. This criterion is met in the New Testament writings:

- (2 Peter 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

 - (John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

- (1 John 1:1-3) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

 - (Luke 1:1-4) For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them to us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 That you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed.

2. The truth. Another thing is that the writers have spoken the truth about what they know and have seen. This matter appears if you read the words of Peter and John.

    The same thing is confirmed by the fact that several apostles lost their lives for the sake of the gospel and Jesus. If it had been a question of conscious lie from the beginning, it certainly would not have happened. Hardly anyone would be willing to suffer and die because of a conscious lie that would be of no use to the person himself.

- (2 Peter 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

- (John 21:24) This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

What about non-biblical sources? It is interesting to note that even if we did not use any New Testament writings or other Christian material, we could find out from non-Christian sources the main features of Jesus’ life. Secular sources bring out the same features about the life of Jesus and the early church as the New Testament presents. This shows how the events of the New Testament have been in the public domain. They did not happen in a corner, as Paul once spoke to Festus. (Acts 26: 24-26 And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, You are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.). Non-biblical sources give the following picture of Jesus:

• Jesus was a man filled with wisdom, if he can even be called a man (Josephus).

• Jesus was known by the name Jesus the Nazarene (Talmud).

• He said that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Talmud).

• He was a teacher (Josephus, Talmud).

• He had disciples (Talmud).

• He worked miracles (Josephus, Talmud).

• His disciples healed the sick and worked miracles (Talmud).

• Pilate (26–36 A.D.) condemned Him to death (Tacitus, Josephus) because of the provocation of influential Jewish men (Josephus) during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14–37 AD.) (Tacitus).

• He was condemned to death on the cross (Josephus, Tacitus, Thallus, Talmud).

• There was darkness at the time of His crucifixion (Thallus).

• He was crucified during the Passover (Talmud).

• He rose from the dead (Josephus).

• The successors of Jesus regarded Him as God and sang songs to praise Him (Plinius the Younger).

• He had Jewish and Greek successors (Josephus).

• Faith in Christ originated from Judea (Tacitus, Josephus) and spread to Rome from there (Tacitus).

• Jesus' successors were called Christians (Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Plinius the Younger).

• Jesus had a brother called Jacob (Josephus).

• Jesus was called Christ or the Messiah (Josephus).

THINGS REFERRING TO THE DIVINITY OF JESUS

Now we set out to examine the facts which may be regarded as referring to the deity of Jesus. It includes e.g. the following things:

Sinlessness. One good starting point for looking at the deity of Jesus is the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John. It begins with an account of how Jesus met the scribes and Pharisees. They brought a woman arrested for adultery and tried to get Jesus to accuse her. The situation was solved simply by when Jesus instructed that person of  the hearers, who was sinless, to cast the first stone. As a result, everyone left. Their consciences proved them guilty:

- (John 8:1-9) Jesus went to the mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the middle,

4 They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle.

However, in the same chapter, the question of sinlessness reappears. At first Jesus speaks of how he always does what is pleasing to the Father, but later he threw a direct question to his contemporaries: ”Which of you convinces me of sin” (John 8:46). He himself considered himself sinless when everyone else was a sinner. If we ourselves made a similar argument, very soon those who knew us would raise their hands and point out our mistakes. They would immediately point out our shortcomings and our claims would have no credibility, but in the case of Jesus it is different:

- (John 8:28-30) Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him.

- (John 8:45-47) And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

47 He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.

Another testimony to Jesus' sinlessness is the comments of disciples and enemies. In the writings of the disciples, His sinlessness is taken for granted. However, those who did not support Him also gave a similar testimony. We will look at some related verses:

Disciples

- (Hebr 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

- (Hebr 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

- (1 Peter 2:21,22) For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

- (1 John 3:5) And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

- (2 Cor 5:21) For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Others

- (Matt 22:16-18) And they sent out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What think you? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt you me, you hypocrites?

- (Matt 27:3-5) Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that.

5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

- (Matt 27:17-19) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom will you that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have you nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

- (Luke 23:39-41) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If you be Christ, save yourself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do not you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.

- (Luke 23:46,47) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

- (John 18:37,38) Pilate therefore said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find in him no fault at all.

Forgiveness of sins. One indication of Jesus' deity is that He forgave sins. The meaning of this thing lies in the fact that if someone violates against us, we can forgive only him, but if a third person shows up and says: "I forgive you", it is a strong statement. The only one who can say something like that and mean it is God Himself. It is because sin, even if it is directed at another person, is, above all, a violation of God and His laws. Only He Himself can forgive such transgressions. The Jews present understood the same thing. They immediately realized that only God can forgive sins, and therefore Jesus' words seemed blasphemy to them. We find a similar case in two different situations:

- (Mark 2:1-12) And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word to them.

3 And they come to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come near to him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you.

6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said to them, Why reason you these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?

10 But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

- (Luke 7:47-50) Why I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.

48 And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgives sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

Delivers from sin. When, in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus made a claim to His own sinlessness, in the same chapter He made another claim on the same subject: He promised to set people free, that is, to deliver them from the bondage of sin.

    Such an argument is utterly absurd if it is made by any ordinary person. No one would take us seriously if we made such claims, but from the mouth of Jesus it feels much more plausible. Evidence for the validity of this claim also exists today. Many who have encountered Jesus Christ can tell how they have been freed from powerful drugs, alcohol, or other addictions. It is a common experience in the lives of many.

- (John 8:31-36) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant stays not in the house for ever: but the Son stays ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Virgin birth. The fact that Jesus was born of a virgin suggests His divinity. Many liberal theologians have wanted to deny this thing like the miracles in the Bible, but the reason for this is their own preconceptions and notions of what can and cannot happen. They are children of their own time like any of us, but in reality they are unable to prove their own preconceptions to be correct.

- (Matt 1:18-20) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The fact that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and not just water refers to his divinity. This perception is manifested in the words of John the Baptist, in Jesus’ own promise to send the Holy Spirit, and in the experiences of the first disciples as they experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Peter referred to it when speaking to his own people:

- (Matt 3:11) I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

- (John 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

- (John 16:3-7) And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where go you?

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

- (Acts 2:32,33) This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.

The same thing did not appear only in the days of the early church. We look at a quote where T.B. Barratt, "The Apostle of the Pentecostal Movement of Northern Europe," recounts his own experience in 1906. He experienced the same thing that had been promised 2,000 years ago:

It took place yesterday, on Sunday, 7 October, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the afternoon, and now you will hear what has led to this. My soul is burning! I feel like I'm the happiest man in the world. Everything has become new. I am filled with joy and peace and love for God and people! In all days, He has led me, and my innermost being has continually cried out, "Go ahead! Onward! Ever since my severe illness, more than 20 years ago, there have been forces, good forces, that have driven me forward. The question of sanctification has been my dearest subject; and I have fought for the idea of holiness, even though I have not experienced it myself.

   But how bad I felt in my own eyes in the face of God's purity and holiness! I saw my own ambition, selfishness, stubbornness, and carnality. Oh, my God, I saw so much, so much that would grieve the Holy Spirit! I was broken and bent to the ground time and time again. (1)

The words of John the Babtist refer to the deity of Jesus. (The Jewish historian Josephus has mentioned him in his notes. He also describes other people familiar in the New Testament, such as the clergy of Jerusalem, Herod, Pilate, Cyrenius, Archelaus and James, “the brother of Jesus, whom they call Christ”). He spoke of how Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and how he was not worthy to even carry His shoes. John also said that ”He must increase, but I must decrease”:

- (Matt 3:11-15) I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and come you to me?

15 And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

- (John 3:25-32) Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29 He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.

32 And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.

- (John 10:40-42) And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he stayed.

41 And many resorted to him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true.

42 And many believed on him there.

The voice from heaven, which was the God of the Father and which appeared at the baptism of Jesus and later on the mountain, is an indication of the significant position of Jesus in relation to the Father. In another letter from Peter, Peter says the same thing:

- (Matt 3:16,17) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:

17 And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

- (Matt 17:1,4-6) And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,

4 Then answered Peter, and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear you him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

- (2 Peter 1:16-18) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Persecutions for the name of Jesus. One peculiar reference to the significant position of Jesus is that those people are Blessed who are persecuted for His sake. He did not say, as many rabbis say, “Blessed are you when you are persecuted for God’s sake,” but added His own name to the matter. He said that the reward of such people is great in heaven: 

- (Matt 5:10-12) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The name of Jesus. As we read the New Testament, the meaning of the name of Jesus comes up several times. Mention is made e.g. how can salvation be in His name, how repentance for the remission of sins must be preached in His name, and there are many other references to the same thing. Here are some passages that to some extent refer to His divinity:

- (Acts 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

- (Matt 10:22) And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

- (Matt 18:5,6) And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.

6 But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

- (Matt 24:4,5) And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

- (Luke 24:46,47) And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

- (Acts 2:38) Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

- (Acts 3:6,16) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

16 And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

One thing we find in the New Testament is also the authority Jesus gave to His disciples to cast out evil spirits in His name. It meant empowerment and power to help people who were bound by evil spirits. This thing is again something that can only be understood in the light of the fact that Jesus is really different from ordinary people and that He has power in that area as well. This thing, the reality of which has been sought to be banned in modern Western countries, can be seen e.g. in the following verses:

- (Matt 10:1) And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

- (Luke 10:17-20) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.

18 And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

- (Mark 9:38-40) And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he follows not us: and we forbade him, because he follows not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

- (Mark 16:17,18) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

- (Acts 8:5-8) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

- (Acts 16:16-18) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show to us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.  And he came out the same hour.

- (Acts 19:11-17) And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

He taught people as one having authority. If we read the New Testament, we cannot help but notice how Jesus emphasized the importance of His own teachings and words. They are not ordinary human conversation and He did not teach like scribes and teachers in general but as one who has power. This thing that sets Him apart from other people is very evident in the Sermon on the Mount:

- (Matt 5:20-22,27,28) For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

27 You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

28 But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- (Matt 6:25,29,30) Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

29 And yet I say to you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Why, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

- (Matt 7:21-23) Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

- (Matt 7:28,29) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in He. As for miracles, many may see them as a sign of the deity of Jesus, and it is, of course, true that they have their own meaning. Disciples were often allowed to witness them when, for example, He calmed a storm (Mark 4:41: And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?) or helped people with their problems. In addition, the disciples themselves were later allowed to work strongly in the same area.

    However, a much more important point, according to Jesus, is that we will not be offended towards Him. It refers better to His divinity than miracles, though they are not to be underestimated either. Both of these points appear in His response to the disciples of John the Baptist:

- (Matt 11:2-6) Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said to him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said to them, Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6 And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me.

We also find in the New Testament a mention that many people nevertheless were offended towards Jesus, even though they were allowed to witness several miracles. So happened in His hometown, but also in the sanctuary:

- (Matt 13:53-58) And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed there.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, From where has this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? From where then has this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

- (Matt 21:23-27) And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?

24 And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

25 The baptism of John, from where was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why did you not then believe him?

26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Lord of the sabbath day and greater than Solomon. Chapter 12 of the Gospel of Matthew reveals some such things that testify of the deity of Jesus. One of them is that, in His own words, He is the lord of the Sabbath. Second, He said He was greater than Solomon, the most influential king of Israel, and greater than the prophet Jonah, whose sermon led the Ninevites to repent:

- (Matt 12:1-8) At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath day.

3 But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him;

4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say to you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if you had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

- (Matt 12:40-42) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. One thing Jesus said about himself is that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. He considered Himself a fulfillment of prophecies and thought He was a fulfillment of God’s law. Such claims are rather strange from any human mouth, but so Jesus said:

- (Matt 5:17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

We find the same teaching elsewhere in the New Testament, not only in Jesus own but also in the disciples teaching. We look at some such claims in which Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the scriptures and the law of God. Such claims are nonsensical if they are not really true:

Fulfillment of scriptures

- (Matt 26:52-54) Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

- (Luke 4:17-21) And there was delivered to him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say to them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

- (Luke 24:25-27,32, 44,45) Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

44 And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

- (John 1:45) Philip finds Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

- (John 5:39,40,45-47) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.

46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?

- (1 Cor 15:3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Law

- (Gal 4:4,5) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree

- (Acts 13:38,39) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

- (Rom 10:4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.

Confessing Jesus. One indication of Jesus ’high status is that if we lose our lives for His sake, we will find it, but if we deny Him, we too will be denied before God the Father. Our whole destiny depends on it. If Jesus were a mere human being, this would be difficult to understand:

- (Matt 16:24-26) Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

- (Matt 10:32,33, 37-39) Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

37 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

- (1 John 2:22,23) Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

- (2 John 1:9) Whoever transgresses, and stays not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that stays in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

Following Jesus belongs to the same area. We look at some related verses that show its significance and what pay a person can get for it:

- (Matt 19:20,21) The young man said to him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

- (Matt 16:24) Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

- (Mark 10:28-31) Then Peter began to say to him, See, we have left all, and have followed you.

29 And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

30 But he shall receive an hundred times now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

- (John 21:18-22) Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you gird yourself, and walked where you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not.

19 This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrays you?

21 Peter seeing him said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus said to him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? follow you me.

Testimony of Jesus. As we read the New Testament, we can see in it Jesus' mention of the Holy Spirit, whom He promised to send to testify of Him and glorify Him. He said:

- (John 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

- (John 16:13-15) However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it to you.

15 All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it to you.

However, Jesus spoke of not only sending the Holy Spirit, but of giving the disciples the task of testifying of Him and proclaiming Him. If He had been just an ordinary person, this would have seemed strange, but if He really is the Son of God through whom we can be saved, it will make this matter clear.

- (John 15:26,27) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

27 And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

- (Acts 1:7,8) And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.

8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.

- (Acts 2:32,33) This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.

He who receives Jesus receives God. A good indication of Jesus' divinity is that He compared receiving himself to receiving God. He also said that he who hates Him, hates His Father, the heavenly God. He combined these things:

- (Luke 10:16) He that hears you hears me; and he that despises you despises me; and he that despises me despises him that sent me.

- (John 12:44-46) Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that sees me sees him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

- (John 13:20) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.

- (John 15:23-25) He that hates me hates my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

He who has seen Jesus has seen God the Father. In the Gospel of John we find the words of Jesus, in which He compared seeing Himself to seeing God the Father. He once said to his disciples: "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them" (Luke 10:23,24).

   The same thing is also evident in Hebrews, where Jesus is said to be the brightness of God’s Glory, and the express image of his person (Heb 1: 3). If the same is said about someone close to us, we certainly wouldn’t believe these things about him:

- (John 14:7-11) If you had known me, you should 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 suffises us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

- (John 12:44,45) Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that sees me sees him that sent me.

- (John 8:15-20) You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.

19 Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.

20 These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

- (John 10:37-39) If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

- (Hebr 1:1-3) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

He is the Master and the Lord. As we read the Bible, we cannot fail to notice how Jesus in his teachings attacked pride and self-exaltation. It is well illustrated in the following verses:

- (Luke 14:7-11) And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying to them.

8 When you are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him;

9 And he that bade you and him come and say to you, Give this man place; and you begin with shame to take the lowest room.

10 But when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher: then shall you have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with you.

11 For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

- (Luke 18:9-14) And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

- (John 5:42-44) But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you.

43 I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

We can also find Bible verses in which Jesus Himself emphasizes that He is humble in heart and that He does not seek the glory of men. He spoke of Himself as follows:

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (John 5:41,44) I receive not honor from men.

44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

- (John 8:48-55) Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?

49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me.

50 And I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

52 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil.  Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?

54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God:

55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like to you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

- (John 7:15-18) And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

However, it is interesting to note that although Jesus Himself emphasized humility in His teachings and claimed to be such, He said He was also Lord and Master. There is an obvious contradiction here if He didn’t really is it. After all, it is brazen to claim to be something other than what really is. Then He would have spoken against His own teaching.

    However, this issue is repeatedly mentioned in Jesus’ own teaching. He talked about it, such as the same thing was emphasized in the early church. The question is how credible such claims are:

- (Matt 23:8-12) But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers.

9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

- (Luke 9:49,50) And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name; and we forbade him, because he follows not with us.

50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

- (Matt 24:42) Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.

- (John 6:68,69) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

- (John 13:12,13) So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said to them, Know you what I have done to you?

13 You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am.

- (Acts 10:36,37) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all:

37 That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

- (Rom 10:9-11) That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

10 For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

11 For the scripture said, Whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.

- (Rom 16:18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

- (1 Cor 2:8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

- (1 Cor 9:1) Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?

- (2 Cor 4:5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

- (Gal 1:10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

- (2 Peter 1:2,3) Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue

- (James 2:1) My brothers, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

- (Rev 1:7,8) Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

- (Rev 11:8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

He gives rest. There are many kinds of promises in the New Testament that Jesus spoke. Some of them speak about giving rest and peace. Such promises seem absolutely incredible if it is not really a question of God. Such is not usually heard from the mouth of an ordinary person.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

- (John 15:11) These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

- (John 16:33) These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

The Son of God. One manifestation of the deity of Jesus is the designation the Son of God, which appears repeatedly in the Gospels and later in the New Testament. It is a reference to the high position and divinity of Jesus:

- (Matt 16:13-17) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He said to them, But whom say you that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven.

- (Matt 22:1-3) And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

- (Matt 26:63-66) But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

66 What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

- (Matt 27:39-43,54) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, You that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself. If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

- (Mark 1:1) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

- (John 3:17,18) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

- (John 9:35-38) Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?

36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

37 And Jesus said to him, You have both seen him, and it is he that talks with you.

38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

- (John 11:3,4) Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

- (John 11:25-27) Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

- (John 19:6-12) When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said to them, Take you him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9 And went again into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, From where are you? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then said Pilate to him, Speak you not to me? know you not that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you?

11 Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin.

12 And from thereafter Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.

- (John 20:30,31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.

- (Acts 3:13-15,26) The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus; whom you delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

26 To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

- (Acts 9:19,20) And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

- (Rom 1:9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers

- (1 Cor 1:9) God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

- (Gal 4:4,5) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

- (Hebr 4:14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

- (Hebr 10:28,29) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace?

- (1 John 1:3) That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

- (1 John 4:14,15) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

- (1 John 5:5,9-13) Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he has testified of his Son.

10 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The Son of man. The name Son of Man, often used by Jesus, is thought to refer to his humanity. It may mean that too, but it is more likely that it refers to Daniel 7: 13,14 (I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.). These verses speak of a person who is much more than just a human being. William Lane Craig has explained the matter:

It is often thought that the “Son of Man” refers to the humanity of Jesus, just as the phrase “the Son of God” elsewhere indicates His divinity. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, the Son of Man was a divine figure who will come at the end of world times to judge mankind and rule forever. Therefore, appointing someone as the Son of Man was actually the same as saying that he is God. (2)

- (Matt 26:63,64) But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

- (Luke 21:27,28, 36) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.

36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

- (John 1:47-51) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael said to him, From where know you me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

49 Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, believe you? you shall see greater things than these.

51 And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.

He arrives a second time. If we read the New Testament, one of its most important teachings is the second coming of Jesus. Jesus promised to come a second time in glory and power, when He first time came to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matt 20:28: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.).

   This thing, the second coming of Jesus in glory and power, is again one that is hard to believe from anyone’s mouth. If someone we knew spoke the same way, we certainly wouldn’t take it seriously. However, Jesus made such a claim, and therefore it is worth considering how true this claim is.

- (Matt 16:27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

- (Matt 23:37-39) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!

38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate.

39 For I say to you, You shall not see me from now on, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.

- (Matt 24:3-6) And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

- (1 Cor 1:7,8) So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- (Phil 3:20,21) For our conversation is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

- (1 Thess 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

- (Hebr 9:27,28) And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin to salvation.

- (1 Peter 1:7,13) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

13 Why gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

- (1 John 2:28) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

- (Rev 1:7,8) Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

- (Rev 19:11-16) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a clothing dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he has on his clothing and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Judge. The issue related to the future is Jesus acting as a judge. It’s something that’s hard to understand other than that He really is God. According to Him, judgment belongs to Him because He has the power to judge the whole world. Either His words are true or He is greatly mistaken.

- (Matt 7:22,23) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

- (Matt 16:27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

- (Matt 25:31-33) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

- (John 5:22,23,27) For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:

23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.  He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.

27 And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

- (Acts 10:42) And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

- (2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.

Praying in Jesus' name. One indication of Jesus’ divinity is that He can be prayed and He answers prayers. He Himself urged to do it and it was common already during the early church. Mere man cannot answer prayers.

- (John 14:13,14) And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

- (John 15:7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.

- (John 16:23,24) And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Till now have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

- (Acts 7:59,60) And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

- (Acts 9:13-16) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.

15 But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

- (1 Cor 1:2) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

- (Matt 28:9,17) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

He can be anywhere. As we read the New Testament, we find in Jesus' words such a teaching that He can be present everywhere just as He can answer prayer. Such things are possible only for God:

- (Matt 18:19,20) Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.

- (Matt 28:19,20) Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

- (John 14:18,23) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our stay with him.

The same teaching is manifested by the apostles. They repeatedly taught how Jesus Christ can live in us through His Spirit. They confirm what Jesus had previously said:

- (Rom 8:9,10) But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

- (2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?

- (Gal 4:6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

- (Eph 3:16,17) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

- (Col 1:27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

- (1 Tim 1:12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

- (1 Peter 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

Jesus influenced in Paul's life. Those verses that tell of Jesus appearing to Paul and how He later influenced Paul’s life are one indication of His supernatural nature. Mere man cannot do such a thing:

- (Acts 9:1-6) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?

5 And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.

- (1 Tim 1:12-16) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

- (1 Cor 1:1) Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

- (1 Cor 15:8-10) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

- (Rom 15:17-20) I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation:

Just as Jesus Christ changed Paul’s life, so can He change the lives of others. It is a manifestation of his divinity. Thousands and thousands can tell how they have experienced a new life after meeting Jesus. He is able to liberate and change every person who gives himself to Him:

The late Harry Ironside preached a few years ago when a man harassed him with questions shouting, among other things, "Atheism has been much more beneficial to the world than Christianity!"

   “All right,” Ironside said, “bring with you a hundred people tomorrow night whose lives have been improved by atheism and I will bring a hundred people whose lives have been changed by Christ.”

   That friend shouting questions didn’t show up the next night. There are hundreds of people from every race, from every country, and from all walks of life who testify of how Jesus Christ changed them. (3)

Honoring Jesus. In the Gospel of John, we read that everyone should honor the Son, or Jesus, in the same way they honor God the Father. This is a strong reference to the deity of Jesus:

- (John 5:22,23) For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:

23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.  He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.

Creation and life. One of the most important revelations we find in the New Testament is that everything was born through Jesus. It is one of the strongest references to his divinity, because only God can bring about such. In addition, we can find a revelation that He is life. That, too, is a feature of God. In Jesus these things are fulfilled:

- (John 1:1-4,9,10) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

- (John 11:25-27) Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

- (Col 1:16,17) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

- (Hebr 1:1,2) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

He is the light of the world. From the New Testament, we can see how Jesus used several names for himself, such as the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Door, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. One such designation is also the Light of the World. It, like other designations, are all ones that are hard to imagine in the mouth of an ordinary person. However, if Jesus was and is the Son of God, things will change.

- (John 1:6-10) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

- (John 8:12-20) Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bore record of yourself; your record is not true.

14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know from where I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell from where I come, and where I go.

15 You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.

19 Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.

20 These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

- (John 9:4,5) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

- (John 12:34-38) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ stays for ever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

35 Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.

36 While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

- (John 12:44-46) Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that sees me sees him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

He is the Messiah. One of the names Jesus used for himself was the Messiah, or Christ. He regarded Himself as this person when discussing e.g. with a woman near a well. He considered Himself the fulfillment of the prophecies that told of the coming of the Messiah.

- (John 1:40-42) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first finds his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

- (John 4:25,26) The woman said to him, I know that Messias comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus said to her, I that speak to you am he.

- (John 10:22-25) And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

- (Acts 17:1-3) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

- (Acts 18:5) And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

- (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

- (1 John 5:1) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him.

- (2 John 1:7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

He is the Savior. One name people used of Jesus is the Savior of the world. We find the same teaching in the writings of the disciples. Such a designation is very strange if it is not really true. An ordinary person can hardly be a Savior, but if He is also God, it is possible:

- (Joh 4:40-42) So when the Samaritans were come to him, they sought him that he would tarry with them: and he stayed there two days.

41 And many more believed because of his own word;

42 And said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

- (Acts 13:23-25) Of this man's seed has God according to his promise raised to Israel a Savior, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am?  I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

- (Tit 1:4) To Titus, my own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

- (Tit 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ

- (2 Peter 2:20) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

- (2 Peter 3:18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

- (1 John 4:14) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

The self-proclamation of Jesus. As we study the teaching of Jesus, we can see it very much focused on Him Himself. Such speech is difficult to understand except in the light that he is the Son of God or He is badly mistaken. The same thing also bothered listeners who did not know how to relate to Him:

- (John 6:33-35,41,42) For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.

34 Then said they to him, Lord, ever more give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he said, I came down from heaven?

- (John 14:4-6) And where I go you know, and the way you know.

5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (John 15:1,4-7) I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.

- (John 11:24-27) Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

- (John 10:9-11) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (John 8:12-14) Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bore record of yourself; your record is not true.

14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know from where I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell from where I come, and where I go.

- (John 7:37-39, 43-46) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.

38 He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have you not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.

The new kingdom and its king. Jesus often spoke of His kingdom as well as the coming kingdom of which ruler He will be. The disciples also wrote about it. These are again things that are impossible to think to be true if Jesus really was not and is not God.

- (John 18:33-37) Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered him, Say you this thing of yourself, or did others tell it you of me?

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me: what have you done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

- (Luke 1:31-33) And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

- (Luke 19:11-15) And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come.

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

- (Matt 20:20-24) Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21 And he said to her, What will you? She said to him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.

22 But Jesus answered and said, You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say to him, We are able.

23 And he said to them, You shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not my to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers.

- (Matt 22:1-3) And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

- (Acts 17:6,7) And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also;

7 Whom Jason has received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

- (2 Peter 1:11) For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He will raise people in the resurrection. The fact that Jesus claims to raise people on the last day of the resurrection is a reference to His divinity or else He is badly mistaken. Such things ordinary people cannot do:

- (John 6:39,40) And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

- (John 11:24-27) Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

The Eternal existence of Jesus with the Father. One of the most interesting observations that can be made about the New Testament is the Eternal existence of Jesus with the Father. He is said to be the Word that was with God and that became flesh. John the Baptist tells of the existence of Jesus before him and in addition Jesus Himself said that He existed previously than Abraham, even though He was born on earth centuries later.

     When one reads such claims, they refer to the deity of Jesus or else they are lies. They must belong to one or the other of these categories:

- (John 1:1,2,14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

- (John 1:15-18,29,30) John bore witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

- (John 3:12,13) If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

- (John 3:30-32) He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.

32 And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.

- (John 5:30,36-38) I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.

37 And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me.  You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

38 And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not.

- (John 6:33-35,38,41,42,61,62) For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.

34 Then said they to him, Lord, ever more give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he said, I came down from heaven?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said to them, Does this offend you?

62 What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

- (John 7:32-36) The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

33 Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go to him that sent me.

34 You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come.

35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come?

- (John 8:21-26) Then said Jesus again to them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.

22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he said, Where I go, you cannot come.

23 And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

25 Then said they to him, Who are you? And Jesus said to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.

26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

- (John 8:38,42) I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.

42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

- (John 8:56-59) Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the middle of them, and so passed by.

- (John 13:2,3) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

- (John 16:5) But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where go you?

- (John 16:28-31) I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said to him, See, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.

31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe?

- (John 17:4,5) I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.

- (2 Cor 8:9) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.

- (Phil 2:5-8) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

- (1 John 1:1,2) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;

Jesus' close relationship with the Father. When it was stated that Jesus was with God the Father, there are also verses that tell of His close relationship with the Father. These verses can only be understood through the fact that Jesus truly is eternal and has been in heaven before He came to earth. Otherwise, they cannot be explained:

- (Matt 15:12-14) Then came his disciples, and said to him, Know you that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

- (Matt 16:17) And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven.

- (Matt 18:10, 35) Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

- (Matt 20:23) And he said to them, You shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not my to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

- (Matt 26:29,52-54) But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

52 Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

- (Luke 10:21,22) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in your sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

- (Luke 22:29) And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me;

- (John 1:14,18) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

- (John 3:16,35) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.

- (John 5:19,20) Then answered Jesus and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.

20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

- (John 7:28-30) Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, You both know me, and you know from where I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom you know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he has sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

- (John 8:18,19,38,53-55) I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.

19 Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?

54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God:

55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like to you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

- (John 10:14,15) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

- (John 14:31) But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

- (John 17:1-4) These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:

2 As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

4 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.

- (John 17:24-26) Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.

26 And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it: that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

- (John 20:17) Jesus said to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

The cause of Jesus' death. Many have never understood the cause of Jesus' death. It was the one we have been dealing with here: People understood that Jesus considered himself equal to God. They accepted God but not Jesus Christ. When Jesus said he was the Son of God, they thought it was blasphemy. That is, of course, if Jesus' words about Himself are lies:

- (John 10:28-33) And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God.

- (John 5:16-18) And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father works till now, and I work.

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

- (John 8:41-43,46,47) You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

47 He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.

- (John 19:5-16) Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Behold the man!

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said to them, Take you him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9 And went again into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, From where are you? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then said Pilate to him, Speak you not to me? know you not that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you?

11 Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin.

12 And from thereafter Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Behold your King!

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him.  Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16 Then delivered he him therefore to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

- (Matt 26:63-67) But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

66 What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

The resurrection of Jesus refers to his divinity. Many liberal theologians want to deny this, like the miracles in the Bible, but in the early church, the resurrection of Jesus was central to the proclamation.

    In addition, it is important to emphasize that the resurrection of Jesus was not a mere resurrection from the dead. It involved getting a new, indestructible and glorious body. According to the Bible, we too can receive such a body when Jesus Christ arrives in His glory and power:

- (Matt 26:31,32) Then said Jesus to them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

- (Mark 16:9-14) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12 After that he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13 And they went and told it to the residue: neither believed they them.

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

- (Acts 1:3,21,22) To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

21 Why of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

- (Acts 2:22-24,32) You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.

32 This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

- (Acts 4:1,2) And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

- (Acts 5:28-31) Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood on us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

- (Acts 10:39-41) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

- (Acts 13:27-32) For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.

32 And we declare to you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to the fathers,

- (Acts 17:31,32) Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.

- (Acts 25:18,19) Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

- (Acts 26:22-26) Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

- (Rom 6:8,9) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him.

- (Rom 8:11,34) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.

34 Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

- (Rom 14:9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

- (1 Cor 6:14) And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

- (1 Cor 15:3-8) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brothers at once; of whom the greater part remain to this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

- (1 Cor 15:12-17,20,21) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

- (1 Cor 15:35-44) But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36 You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die:

37 And that which you sow, you sow not that body that shall be, but bore grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God gives it a body as it has pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

- (2 Cor 4:14) Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

- (Gal 1:1) Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;

- (2 Tim 2:8) Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel

- (1 Peter 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

- (1 Peter 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

- (Rev 1:5,17,18) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

- (Rev 2:8) And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive

On the right hand of God. The fact that Jesus has gone to the right hand of God the Father indicates His dignity and divinity:

- (Mark 16:19) So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

- (Rom 8:34) Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

- (Acts 7:55,56) But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

- (Eph 1:19-21) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

- (Col 3:1) If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.

- (Hebr 1:3,13,14) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

- (Hebr 8:1) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

- (Hebr 10:12,13) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From now on expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

- (1 Peter 3:21,22) The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

Faith in Jesus. The teaching that the New Testament repeatedly brings forth is faith in Jesus Christ. Through it, we can be saved and enter the eternal kingdom of God. This thing is again something that is hard to grasp if we had to believe in someone close to us. Instead, if Jesus is the Son of God and one with the Father, it changes the matter to another.

- (John 8:23-25) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

25 Then said they to him, Who are you? And Jesus said to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.

- (Matt 18:6,7) But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

- (John 3:14-18) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

- (John 6:28,29,40) Then said they to him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

- (John 16:8-10) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more

- (John 20:30,31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.

- (Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

- (Acts 20:20,21) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

- (Gal 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

- (Gal 3:22,26) But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Verses related to salvation. The most important aspect of Jesus' action is what He did for us and how through Him is access to God the Father and heaven. He said how He has come to seek and save the lost, how in His name is the remission of sins, and that no one can come to God the Father except through Him. Such claims are insane from the mouth of the common man, but if they are uttered by the Son of God, they are worth taking seriously. If we ourselves said so, our words would not have much credibility, but in the case of Jesus, it is different. In the early church, this matter was understood and salvation was proclaimed through Jesus:

Jesus claimed to have come to save the lost

- (Luke 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

- (1 Tim 1:15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

He took away sin

- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

- (1 John 3:5) And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

- (Rev 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Forgiveness of sins through Him. Unless it is a question of God, this is hard to believe.

- (Luke 24:46,47) And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

- (Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

- (Acts 13:38,39) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

- (Acts 26:17,18) Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send you,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

- (Col 1:14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

He died for sins. Ordinary people don’t talk that way.

- (Matt 20:26-28) But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (John 10:17-21) Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why hear you him?

21 Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

- (John 11:46-52) But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

- (John 12:31-33) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

- (1 Cor 15:3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

- (Rom 5:6-8) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (Rom 14:15) But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died.

- (Gal 1:3,4) Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

- (Hebr 2:9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Man becomes a child of God if he receives Him. It is a such promise that is only possible through God.

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

- (Gal 3:26) For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Grace has come through Him. That cannot be expected from an ordinary man

- (John 1:17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

- (Rom 5:1,2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- (1 Cor 1:4) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

- (1 Cor 16:23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

- (Gal 1:6) I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel:

- (2 Tim 1:9) Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

- (2 Tim 2:1) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

He claimed to be the way to heaven to God the Father. If someone close to us claimed the same, who would believe it?

- (John 14:1-6) Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.

5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (Eph 2:17,18) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

- (Eph 3:11,12) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The condemnation will be taken away by Him. It is a promise that cannot be realized through mere man.

- (John 3:17,18) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

- (John 5:24) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

- (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Jesus claimed to be the door to salvation

- (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

- (Acts 4:11,12) This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

He claimed that eternal life is in Him. This is something that is certainly possible only for God

- (John 4:10-14) Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.

11 The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water?

12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

- (John 5:39,30) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 6:27,35,40) Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.

35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (John 10:10) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

- (John 10:28) And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

- (Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- (Rev 2:10,11) Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.

11 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

Verses that refer to the deity of Jesus. Some verses refer directly to the deity of Jesus. He was called God:

- (1 John 5:20,21) And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

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

- (Rom 9:5) Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

- (Tit 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ

- (Matt 1:22,23) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

- (John 20:28) And Thomas answered and said to him, My LORD and my God.

- (Col 2:8,9) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

- (1 Tim 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

- (Hebr 1:7,8) And of the angels he said, Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But to the Son he said, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.

God's promises in Jesus Christ. The fact that God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ refers to His divinity. If Jesus were just a human being, it would certainly not be possible:

- (2 Cor 1:19,20) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yes and no, but in him was yes.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us.

The treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The fact that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Jesus shows that He cannot be an ordinary person.

- (Col 2:2,3) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

- (1 Cor 1:24,30,31) But to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

The first and the last. When Jesus is referred to as the First and the Last, it refers to His divinity. In the Old Testament (Isaiah 41: 4, 44: 6, 48:12) God used this name about Himself.

    Jesus is also said to have the keys of hell and death. This thing is certainly only possible for God:

- (Rev 1:17,18) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

- (Rev 22:12-14) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Common throne. We can make an interesting observation from the book of Revelation. It tells us that the Lamb, or Jesus Christ, shares a common throne with God the Father. When God does not give His glory to others, this refers to the deity of Jesus (Isa 42:8: I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.):

- (Rev 22:1-3) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the middle of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

WHO IS HE? One very common idea is that Jesus is a great spiritual teacher or a wise person. He has been thought to have brought significant spiritual instruction in the realm of morality, and by following which society would be a much better place. It is usually acknowledged. His humility, balanced nature and love, for which He may be remembered, may also be brought up. In addition, Islam teaches that He was a prophet of God.

   There is a big mistake in the previous thought that is not easily noticed: Jesus could not be a great spiritual teacher, a wise man, or a prophet of God if He had spoken wrongly at a crucial matter — His own identity. He made such claims about Himself that do not fit in the mouth of a prophet of God or a wise and humble teacher, if they are false. After all, it’s brazen if a teacher or person claims more about himself than he really is. He is then not a good teacher but something else. We shouldn't listen to that kind of a person.

   We look at a quote that brings out the same idea better. It shows that we don’t always think logically about what Jesus has said about Himself. Either He was and is truly God or something completely different:

Thomas: Yes, according to literary notes He started it. It was the reason why they put Him on the cross – blasphemy.

Socrates: He Himself claimed to be God?

Thomas: Yes.

Socrates: He really said that?

Thomas: Yes, according to the only records we have, the four gospels.

Socrates: Only on one occasion?

Thomas: No, many times, in multiple different ways.

Socrates: How? In which ways?

Thomas: He called Himself the Son of God. He claimed to be sinless and that He’d atone all the world’s sins. He said that in the end of times He would condemn the whole world. He said thing like, “I and Father are one” and “he that has seen me has seen the Father” and “before Abraham was, I am”. 

Socrates: You don’t believe this Thomas, do you?

Thomas: Yes Socrates, it is incredibly absurd.

Socrates: So it seems. What about the rest of you, what do you think of this Jesus?

Bertha (looks at Thomas with disdain): In any case, more than he does.

Socrates: Do you believe He was a God?

Bertha: No.

Molly: Not in my opinion.

Socrates: Why do you study Him then?

Bertha: He was a great philosopher, a wise man.

Socrates: Oh, that cannot be right.

Bertha (surprised, while others also raise their heads): What? Why not?

Socrates: I believe I can demonstrate it quite easily. Thomas, do you think He was a great philosopher? What do you think of Him?

Thomas: I don’t think anything. I certainly do not believe He was a God.

Socrates: Do you believe He was a great philosopher?

Thomas: No. I believe He was a great conman. I think He started the biggest superstition in the world.

Socrates: Thank you. Does any of you believe He was a God?

Chris: I do.

Socrates: Ah, then you Chris, are the only one who is allowed to think He was a great philosopher.

Others: What? Why?

Socrates: Oh, it is quite simple. The man claimed He was a God. If He truly was, then Chris is the only one who is right. If He was not, then Thomas is the only one who is right. A mere man who claims to be God, cannot be a wise man. In fact, He would quite possibly be insane. Therefore, whether He was or wasn’t what He claimed to be, only one of you can be right about Him. The majority is in the wrong in any case.

Bertha: But surely He was a wise man. Read the gospel and you’ll see.

Socrates: That is not possible.

Bertha: How can you be so sure? You’ve never read them.

Socrates: Don’t you understand? This cannot be the case, just as a triangle cannot have four sides. A mere man who claims to be God, cannot be a wise man, and a God that claims to be God isn’t a mere wise man. The former is crazy, and the latter is God. Jesus is inevitably either crazy or a God. The only thing He cannot be is a mere wise man.

Bertha: Then why do so many people think of Him like that?

Socrates: That is exactly my question. And I ask you that now, I am not asking those many people who are not here, but you who are here. Why do you choose the most illogical option, the only one that is inherently in conflict with itself? You are familiar with logic, right?

Bertha: Professor, can you help me out of this?

Professor: I am not sure that is necessarily my task… (4)

THE MEANING OF JESUS' WORDS

- (Matt 7:24-27) Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell not: for it was founded on a rock.

26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house on the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

- (Matt 24:35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

- (John 5:24) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

- (John 6:63) It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

- (John 12:47-50) And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said to me, so I speak.

If we read the New Testament, we cannot help but notice how Jesus emphasized the meaning of His own words. They are not ordinary human conversation but have a greater meaning. He said that His words are “spirit and life” (John 6:63) and that Heaven and earth shall pass away, but His words shall not pass away. If an ordinary John Smith claimed the same, who would believe him?

   What matters most, however, is how we ourselves react to Him and His words. Are we taking them seriously or do we reject Him? Do we consider His words to be a lie or a truth because they must belong to one of these categories? Do we believe what he said about Himself and how can we be saved and get to heaven through Him? If we do not even consider this option, that is, we reject Him, we will certainly not act wisely. It can cost our eternity.

   So don’t be underestimated about this, but be serious about the kingdom of God. According to the Bible, this involves e.g. the following points:

Turn to Jesus! When you have found that you are separated from God because of your sins, you must repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ, because only in Him is eternal life. The mere theoretical knowledge of His work for us, or that He is God, will be of no use to us if we do not want to turn to Him and receive life. So turn to Jesus Christ in your heart and give yourself to Him unconditionally, and you will receive the gift of eternal life. The following verses are related to this:

- (John 6:67-69) Then said Jesus to the twelve, Will you also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So, if you have turned to Jesus Christ and received Him to your life, you are a child of God and have eternal life. You have the eternal life regardless of what you feel right now. Do not base your assurance of salvation on your ever-changing emotions, but rest in the word of the Bible and on Jesus Christ, just like the anchor of a ship is never thrown inside the ship but always outside.

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

- (1 John 5:11-13) And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION: Lord Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and I have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I believe that my sins have been forgiven by Your atonement work and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation You have given me. Amen.

References:

1. Martin Ski: Martin Ski, T.B. Barratt – Helluntaiapostoli [T.B. BARRATT - DOPT I ÅND OG ILD], p. 108-109

2. William Lane Craig: The Son Rises: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. Chicago, Moody Press 1981, 140.

3. Paul Little: Tiedä miksi uskot (Know Why You Believe), p. 139,140

4. Peter Kreeft: Sokrates & Jeesus, p. 78,79

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life

Grap to eternal life!