Before we begin this series, “Jesus, is He God?” I would like to share why I was inspired to write this. I have been working with young adults for many years and this has been the most commonly asked question.
As we explore and address different world views of Christology, I would like to urge you to look to what the scripture says, as some critics who call themselves “Christians” continue to twist the truth about Jesus Christ. They make false claims that appear to be true to those who do not know the Word of God. Some claim that they have more knowledge or revelation about who Jesus is than any original Apostles of the New Testament; in result, they put themselves above the written Word of God. While others teach false doctrine out of ignorance or lack of knowledge, others do so for financial or personal gain. Whatever reason it may be, the Word of God warns us:
“Such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.”
– 2 Corinthians 11:13
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES:
“Jesus is not God, but a created being.
RESPONSE: Jesus is fully God.
To someone who believes in the authority of the Bible, yet is confused about the deity of Jesus, sensitively ask these three questions and wait for a response after each question:
Q: Who is mentioned in Isaiah 44:6 ?
“This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” – Isaiah 44:6
A: The answer will typically be the Lord.
Q: And who is referred to in Revelation 1:5–8 ?
“From Jesus Christ.… To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ ” – Revelation 1:5–8
A: The “Alpha and Omega” means the “first and the last” because they are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
Do you see that God’s holy Word clearly shows that Jesus Christ, who is the First and the Last (the Alpha and the Omega), is actually Jehovah, the Lord Almighty?” Isaiah says there is no other God. And the end of Revelation reinforces the fact that Jesus is the “First and Last.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.… I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” –
Revelation 22:13, 16
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (pp. 556–557)
Smith, R. A. (2004). Trinity and reality: an introduction to the Christian faith (p. 5). Moscow, ID: Canon Press.
Hunt, J.. Biblical Counseling Keys Is the Deity of Christ Defendable?
Ryrie, C. C. Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth
