Bulletin Articles
The Deity of Christ
When Jesus walked the earth, people had different perceptions of His identity. When Jesus asked disciples what people were saying about Him, they responded: “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” (Matt. 16:13–14).
There is just as much diversity of thought of who Jesus is today. Some say He was just a prophet, an angel, or a good moral teacher. But how does the Bible present Jesus?
The Bible presents Jesus as more than just a man. He’s presented as divine. Let’s consider how the Gospel of John is bookended with this idea.
The Gospel of John opens with: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1). This Word was not only with God, but He also “was God”. Then, we learn that this Word became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus is introduced as God incarnate, both God and man.
Toward the end of John, when Thomas finally realizes that he is talking to the resurrected Christ, he proclaims, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Notice Jesus doesn’t correct Thomas or call blasphemy. If Jesus was not God, He should have corrected him, just as others in the Bible had to when they were falsely treated like deities (Acts 10:25–26 ; Acts 14:11–15; Rev. 19:9–10). But Jesus does not correct Thomas because he got it right.
It’s important we get this right. If Jesus is not deity, we are committing blasphemy by treating Him as such. If He is deity, but we say He is not, we are preaching a false Christ and not giving Him the honor due Him. Even Jesus calls attention to this: “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:22–23).
Beyond the Gospels, the book of Revelation magnifies Christ’s worthiness of worship as deity. Though there is much to unpack in Revelation, one image should be familiar: the slain Lamb, risen and exalted in Chapter 5. It is in this risen state that twenty-four elders and four creatures worship him, saying “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)
The worship was not only for the one who sat on the throne. In the same phrase, the worship was extended to the lamb. In this throne room, the elders and creatures knew that Christ deserved to be worshiped in the same way as the Father.
Again, in chapters 7 and 14, the Lamb and the One on the throne are mentioned in the same breath, in whom salvation and the first fruits belong, confirming Christ’s identity to be deserving of our worship through eternity.
