“The Deity of Jesus”

Mt. Olive Baptist Church Bible Study Class “The Deity of Jesus”

Introduction to the Deity of Jesus • The True God • Divine Names • Divine Attributes • Divine Offices • Divine Worship • Gospel of John • • Summary • • The Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus • • The Seven Miracles The Deity of Jesus

Introduction to the Deity of Jesus • The True God • Divine Names • Divine Attributes • Divine Offices • Divine Worship The Deity of Jesus

The True God Moses desired instructions as to what answer to give the Israelites concerning God’s identity: “What shall I say to them?” He is not an anonymous force. He revealed Himself to His people by making Himself known to them by simply saying: “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

The True God • God (OT: Elohim; NT Theos) denotes a deity or a supreme being. The word “God” was appropriated by the Jews and retained by Christians from the pagans to denote the “One True God. “ • Elohim is the plural word, which represents God. Though “Elohim” is a plural form in Hebrew, it is used with singular verbs and adjectives in the Hebrew text when the particular meaning of the God of Israel (a singular deity) is understood. It indicates the immutability and agreement of the Godhead. Elohim is understood as third person singular masculine.

The True God In the ancient scrolls these four Hebrew Letters (יהוה), known as the Tetragrammaton are transliterated YHWH or JHVH in English. YHWH (or JHVH) translates the Hebrew phrase “I AM THAT I AM “ (Exodus 3:14, 6:4). YAHWEH or (JEHOVAH) “I AM LORD” is the proper name of God, which was held in reverence by Israel. Traditionally, Jews do not voice this name aloud. It is believed to be too sacred to be uttered and is often referred to as the “UnNameable Name.” Scribes replaced the word Yahweh with Adonai or HaShem (The Name) as an attempt to prevent the True Name being pronounced.

The True God This name indicates that YAHWEH is the one and only one, living and true God (Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26); He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit (Psalm 147:5; John 4:24); The Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:1-3).

The True God • YAHWEH by definition signifies that God is: • Un-originated • Self-Sustained • Eternal • Immutable

The first line of proof of the absolute deity of our Lord Jesus is that many names and titles clearly implying deity are used of Jesus Christ in the Bible. And there can be no doubt to anyone who goes to the Bible that Jesus (YHWH) is spoken of by various names and titles that beyond a question imply deity, and that Jesus is really God (Elohim). Divine Names

The second line of proof that Jesus Christ is God is that all the five distinctively Divine attributes are ascribed to Jesus Christ, and "all the fullness of the Godhead" is said to dwell in Him. There can be no doubt to anyone who goes to the Bible that all the (five) distinctively Divine attributes (omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternity, and immutablility) dwell in Jesus (YHWH). Therefore, He is really God (Elohim). Divine Attributes

There is a third unanswerable line of proof that Jesus Christ is God, namely, all the distinctively Divine Offices are predicated of Jesus Christ. The seven distinctively divine offices (i.e., things that God alone can do) are ascribed to Jesus Christ: • Creation • Preservation • Forgiveness of Sin • Raising of the Dead • Transformation of Bodies • Judgment • Bestowal of Eternal Life. Divine Offices

Those arguments already given have been decisive, each one decisive within themselves, but most decisive of them all is a fourth line of proof of the absolute Deity of our Lord Jesus, and that is that Jesus Christ should be worshipped as God, both by angels and men. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, is to be worshipped as God by angels and men, even as God the Father is worshipped. In numerous places we see Jesus Christ accepting worship which He Himself taught should be rendered only to God (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:52; Matthew 14:33; Acts 10:25, 26; Revelation 22:8, 9; Matthew 4:9-10). Divine Worship

There is no room left to doubt the absolute Deity of Jesus Christ. It is a glorious truth. The Saviour in whom we believe is God, a Saviour for Whom nothing is too hard, a Saviour Who can save from the uttermost and save to the uttermost. We should rejoice that we have no mere human Saviour, but a Saviour Who is absolutely God in all of His fullness and perfection. So, denying the Deity of Jesus Christ does not make His Deity any less a fact. The Deity of Jesus

Introduction to the Deity of Jesus • The True God • Divine Names • Divine Attributes • Divine Offices • Divine Worship • Gospel of John • •Summary • • The Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus • • The Seven Miracles The Deity of Jesus

Summary: The Gospel According to John

The Gospel of John is the fourth Gospel in the canon of the NT, traditionally ascribed to John the Apostle. Like the three synoptic Gospels, it contains an account of some of the actions and sayings of Jesus, but differs from them in character and theological emphases. The Gospel was written with an evangelistic purpose, primarily for Greek-speaking Jews who were not believers. A second purpose was to counter criticisms of Jews who believed Jesus was only spirit and not flesh. Gospel According to John

The Gospel According to John tells this Gospel account in four parts: • Prologue (1:1-18) identifies Jesus as God. • The Book of Signs (1:19-Ch. 12) recounts Jesus' public ministry and the signs worked by Jesus. • The Passion Narrative (Chs. 13-20) recounts the Last Supper, Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. • The Epilogue (Ch 21) records a resurrection appearance of Jesus to the disciples in Galilee. Gospel According to John

The prologue identifies Jesus as the eternal Word (Logos) of God. So, Jesus, not his message, is the object of reverence in John’s Gospel. Thus John asserts Jesus' innate superiority over all divine messengers, whether angels or prophets. He portrays Jesus Christ as “the manifestation of the eternal Word, whose immortal spirit remains ever-present with the believing Christians. The Prologue

Of the four Gospels, John presents Jesus as the Logos who was in the “Arche” (a Greek term for "the beginning" or "the ultimate source of all things"), teaching at length about his identity as saviour, and declaring him to be God. John adapts the doctrine of the Logos, God's creative principle, as the intermediary between the transcendent Creator and the material world. Gospel According to John

John focuses on Jesus' mission to bring the Logos ("Word") to his disciples. He tells us that "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." These words consummate the identification of Jesus to be the manifestation of the whole Deity (Express Image) (Hebrews 1:3). This stresses the nature and character of Jesus as the Shekinah glory in open manifestation which is used to denote the dwelling presence of God (Colossians 2:9). Gospel According to John

This section recounts Jesus' public ministry consisting of seven miracles or "signs," including several "I AM" sayings. The miracles are: “turning water into wine” (2:1-11); “healing the nobleman’s son” (4:43-54); “healing an infirm man at Bethesda” (5:1-18); “feeding the 5,000” (6:1-13); “walking on water” (6:14-21); and “healing the man born blind” (9:1-7). However, it is the last miracle that prompts the authorities to have Jesus executed, “the raising of Lazarus from the dead” (11:17-44). The Book of Signs

This section also recounts Yahweh's own statements with several "I AM" declarations. These discourses identify him with symbols of major significance: "the bread of life" (John 6:35), "the light of the world" (John 8:12), "the door of the sheep" (John 10:7), "the good shepherd" (John 10:11), "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25), “the way, the truth and the life” (14:6) and "the true vine" (John 15:1). The Book of Signs

This section opens with an account of the Last Supper that differs significantly from that found in the synoptic Gospels. Here, Jesus washes the disciples feet instead of ushering in a new covenant of his body and blood. John then devotes almost five chapters to farewell discourses. The farewell discourses resemble farewell speeches called testaments, in which a father, often on the deathbed, leaves instructions for his children or followers. He declares his unity with the Father, promises to send the Paraclete, explains that he must leave (die) before the Holy Spirit comes, and prays that his followers be one. Last Teachings and Death

John then records Jesus' arrest, trial, execution, and resurrection appearances, including "doubting Thomas." John's revelation of divinity is Jesus' triumph over death, the eighth and greatest sign. Chapter 21, in which the "beloved disciple" claims authorship, is commonly assumed to be an appendix, to allay concerns after the death of the beloved disciple. There had been a rumor that the end would come before the beloved disciple died. Last Teachings and Death

Introduction to the Deity of Jesus • The True God • Divine Names • Divine Attributes • Divine Offices • Divine Worship • Gospel of John • • Summary • • The Seven “I AM” Statements • • The Seven Miracles The Deity of Jesus

The Bread of Life (6:35) • The Light of the World (8:12) • The Door (10:7) • The Good Shepherd (10:11) • The Resurrection and The Life (11:25) • The Way, The Truth and The Life (14:6) • The True Vine (15:1) The Seven “I AM” Statements

“I AM the bread of Life” SCRIPTURE BACKGROUND Earlier in John 6, Jesus performed the miracle of feeding 5,000 people. Taking a little boy’s meal of only five barley loaves and two small fish, Jesus multiplied the food to feed the hungry multitude. Christ now talking to people who had been present on the other side of the Sea of Galilee when He had multiplied the loaves and fish, were interested in seeing the miracle repeated. The reason for this was that they had been taught by their rabbis that when the Messiah came, He would duplicate the miracle of the giving of the manna from the Old Testament.

“I AM the bread of Life” SCRIPTURE BACKGROUND This was the background to the request of the people of Jesus. If He was the Messiah, they wanted Him to repeat the miracle and provide bread for them as Moses did long ago. However, Jesus challenged their following Him by asking if they followed for the miracles. At this question, Christ reproved them for their ignorance; for He knew they followed Him not that they might know Him (as the Messiah) who was sent, but for their bellies.

“I AM the bread of Life” Christ in His reply corrects their misunderstanding concerning the bread from heaven, which they sought to feed their bellies. It was true that their forefathers ate manna in the desert(Exodus 16:15). But it was not Moses that gave it to them; he was just an instrument. And so the Jews tended to magnify the miracle of Moses and undervalue this miracle of Jesus. So, Jesus teaches them concerning the true manna of which that manna was a type – a shadow (Hebrews 10:1).

“I AM the bread of Life” Christ goes on to speak of Himself as the true bread that we might rightly know that He is God. And those that eat of Him shall have life eternal. He is the bread which came down from heaven. So, Jesus uses the YHWHistic phrase, “I AM” which denotes the deity of His person. As God, He had being in heaven, whence he came to take our nature upon Him. I came down from heaven which we infer He was in the beginning with God and came with a divine commission.

The True God Remember when Moses desired instructions as to what answer to give the Israelites concerning God’s identity, “God said , I AM THAT I AM.” מֶוַ! הִי " אֱאֶלה מֹ ֶeאֶהְיֶה (Exodus 3:14) Elohim is saying to Moses behold I AM “Elohim” is the word, which represents God. Though “Elohim” is a plural form in Hebrew, it is used with singular verbs and adjectives in the Hebrew text. Therefore, a singular deity is understood. It indicates the immutability and agreement of the Godhead.

The True God In the ancient scrolls these four Hebrew Letters (יהוה)known as the Tetragrammaton are transliterated YHWH or JHVH in English. YHWH (or JHVH) translates the Hebrew phrase “I AM THAT I AM “ (Exodus 3:14, 6:4). This indicates that Y(a)HW(e)H is the one and only one, living and true God (Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26); He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit (Psalm 147:5; John 4:24); the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:1-3).

“You shall call His name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21). • JESUS (Hebrew: Iehoshua or Greek: IEsous) means “YHWH saves” or “I AM THAT I AM delivers.” Therefore, JESUS by His very name (“YHWH saves) and nature (Elohim) is our Saviour and our God. • He (YAHWEH/JESUS) is the bread to the soul, which nourishes and supports the spiritual life (zoe life) as natural bread does the bodily life (bio life). He is the staple of life which everyone needs daily! Divine Name

“I AM the bread of Life” Bread is itself a dead thing, and nourishes; but Jesus is Himself living bread and nourishes by His power. Manna was a dead thing; if kept over night, it putrefied and bred worms; but Jesus is ever living, everlasting bread that never molds, nor waxes old. Manna only supported life, but did not perpetuate life, much less restore life; but Jesus gives life to those dead in their sin. Jesus came to put life into the minds of men.

“I AM the bread of Life” Manna was given to Israel; but in Jesus all receive the fullness of grace; he that gathers much of this manna will have plenty when he comes to eat it; and when this grace is perfected in glory shall find he has no lack. Manna was sweet to the taste and to those that believe in Jesus Christ, He shall be as honey in the mouth. Israel only lived on manna till they came to Canaan; and so Christ is our life. There was a memorial of the manna preserved in the ark; so of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, as the food of souls. Jesus is our peace, our righteousness, and our redeemer; by these things do men eat live.

Here Jesus lays down the doctrine that He is the light of the world: Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, “I AM the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus uses the YHWHistic phrase, “I AM” which denotes the deity of His person. As God, He had being in heaven, whence he came to take our nature upon Him (Philippians 2:7). I am come a light into the world (John 12:46) which we infer He was in the beginning with God and came with a divine commission. “I AM the light of the world”

The True God Remember when Moses desired instructions as to what answer to give the Israelites concerning God’s identity, “God said , I AM THAT I AM.” מֶוַ! הִי " אֱאֶלה מֹ ֶeאֶהְיֶה (Exodus 3:14) Elohim is saying to Moses behold I AM “Elohim” is the word, which represents God. Though “Elohim” is a plural form in Hebrew, it is used with singular verbs and adjectives in the Hebrew text. Therefore, a singular deity is understood. It indicates the immutability and agreement of the Godhead.

“You shall call His name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21). • JESUS (Hebrew: Iehoshua or Greek: IEsous) means “YHWH saves” or “I AM THAT I AM delivers.” Therefore, JESUS by His very name (“YHWH saves) and nature (Elohim) is our Saviour and our God. • He (YAHWEH/JESUS) in calling Himself the light expresses (1.) What He is in Himself—most excellent and glorious. (2.) What He is to the world—the fountain of light, enlightening every man. So would it be with Christ by whom The light came into the world (John 3:19). Divine Name

God is light, and Jesus Christ is the express image of the invisible God. He was expected to be a light to enlighten the Gentiles (Luke 2:32), and so the light of the world, and not of the Jews only. One of the rabbis said, Light is the name of the Messiah, as it is written (Daniel 2:22), And light dwelleth with him. “I AM the light of the world”

Light is a thing which witnesses for itself, and carries its own evidence along with it. Christ’s light needs no man’s testimony. He was sent of God to tell the world that the long-looked-for Messiah was now come, who would bring life and immortality; That all men through him might believe. He taught men the doctrine of repentance for sin by awakening them that, their eyes being thereby opened, they might be ready to admit those beams of divine light in the person and doctrine of Jesus Christ. “I AM the light of the world”

Christ is the true Light which enlightens every man that comes into the world. By His creating power He enlightens every man with the light of reason (moral conscience). By the operation of His Spirit and grace He enlightens all to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by Him perish in darkness. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is said to be in the face of Jesus Christ, and is compared with that light which was at the beginning commanded to shine out of darkness, and which enlightens every man that comes into the world. Therefore, every man is indebted to Christ. “I AM the light of the world”

The inference from this doctrine is, He that followeth me, as a traveler follows the light in a dark night, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. They shall have the light of life, that knowledge and enjoyment of God which will be to them the light of spiritual life in this world and of everlasting life in the world to come, where there will be no death nor darkness (ignorance). “I AM the light of the world”

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). This asserts the excellency of the divine nature. In God is all the beauty and perfection that can be represented to us by light. God is the absoluteness and fullness of that excellency and perfection. There is no defect or imperfection, no mixture of any thing contrary to absolute excellency, no mutability nor capacity of any decay in Him: In him is no darkness at all. And so, Jesus calling Himself light represents the absolute holiness and purity of his nature. Being God he is pure and perfect light. Jesus as God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. “I AM the light of the world”

But, if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another… (1 John 1:7). As the blessed God is the eternal boundless light, and the Mediator is, from Him, the light of the world, so the believer is the great light that appears in our sphere, and shines here below. Conforming to this in spirit and practice demonstrates fellowship or communion with God. Those that so walk show that they know God, that they have received of the Spirit of God, and that the divine image is stamped upon their souls. Then we have fellowship one with another, they (Elohim) with us and we with them. “I AM the light of the world”

…and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7) Jesus’ blood or death is applied to us. The eternal God-man, put on flesh and blood, and so became Jesus Christ. He shed His blood for us, or died to wash us from our sins in His own blood. His blood applied to us discharges us from the guilt of all sin, both original and actual, inherent and committed: and so we stand righteous in His sight; and not only so, but His blood procures for us those sacred influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it is abolished (Galatians 3:13, 14). “I AM the light of the world”

Here we have Christ’s parable where He uses the imagery of shepherding to make known to the people the Kingdom of God and its entry. The sheepfold is a large enclosure, open to the sky that has a wall around it in order to afford protection to the sheep against its enemies – wolves and other beasts of prey and robbers. There is a large door (or gate) at which the shepherd enters with his sheep. To the shepherd the porter (or doorkeeper) opens the door; for there is no other way into the sheepfold. “I AM the door”

The sheepfold is a pre-figure of the body of Christ – the church of God in the world, into which the children of God are gathered together as a flock. The church like sheep is under the providence and protection of the God, the Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:31). Jesus uses the YHWHistic phrase, “I AM” which denotes the deity of His person. “I AM the door”

The True God • “You shall call His name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21).” • It is by the name JESUS (Hebrew: Iehoshua or Greek: IEsous) means “YHWH saves” or “I AM THAT I AM delivers.” Therefore, JESUS by His very name (“YHWH saves) and nature (Elohim) is our Saviour and access to God (Romans 5:3). As God, He had being in heaven, whence he came to take our nature upon Him (Philippians 2:7). In calling Himself the door He declares that there is no other way or access to the Father’s Kingdom except by Him (Romans 5:2).

“The Deity of Jesus”