Is Jesus Christ God?

Strange as it may seem, there are some Christians who do not believe that Jesus Christ is God. They believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, but not God.

Is Jesus God? Yes, there are many Scriptures which show this. However, those who don’t believe Jesus is God focus on other Scriptures, which in their view show that Jesus is not God. The Bible does not contradict itself. Therefore, there must be a Biblically sound explanation of the Scriptures which resolves any apparent contradictions – which this paper covers.

This paper is divided into the following sections.

A) Direct statements showing Jesus is God
B) Indirect statements showing Jesus is God
C) Scriptures where Christ is referred to as YHVH
D) Scriptures which mention Two Divine Beings
E) The Divine Nature of God
F) Difficult Scriptures

A) Direct statements showing Jesus is God

These provide irrefutable evidence that Jesus is God from just one verse.

A.1) Isaiah calls the Son, Mighty God

Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This is clearly referring to Jesus Christ who is called Mighty God.

A.2) Matthew refers to Jesus as God with us

Mat 1:23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which is translated, “God with us.”

One of the names of Jesus Christ is “God with us”.

A.3) John states that the Word is God

It is clear from John 1:14 that the Word is Jesus.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Thus in John 1:1, earlier in the chapter, the Word refers to Jesus Christ.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

There are a number of things to note here.

Note 1

John 1:1 clearly states that the Word was God.

Note 2

The Greek phrase in John 1:1 translated “and the Word was with God” is “και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον”. It has the word τον before θεον meaning “the God”. In other words a more accurate translation is “and the Word was with the God”. Thus John 1:1 tells us that there are two God beings: “God” and “the God”.

Note 3

The phrase “without Him nothing was made that was made” in John 1:3 shows that the Word was not created. It says that everything that was made was made through Him. Clearly the Word cannot have been created otherwise He would have to have created Himself, which is clearly impossible.

A.4) Thomas called Jesus God

Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas called Jesus his God and Jesus did not correct him.

A.5) Paul referred to Christ as God on a number of occasions

Rom 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Phil 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

These Scriptures show that Paul clearly referred to Jesus Christ as God.

A.6) The Fullness of the Godhead Dwells in Christ

Col 2:9 For in Him [Jesus Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

If all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus Christ then He must be God.

A.7) Jesus Christ is the Exact Image of God’s Person

Heb 1:3 who [Jesus Christ] being the brightness of His [God’s] glory and the express image [charakter] of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

The Greek word translated “express image” is charakter. According to Strongs, it means exact copy. According to Thayer, it means “the exact expression (the image) of any person or thing, marked likeness, precise reproduction in every respect, i.e. facsimile”.

As Christ is an express image of God, He is God.

A.8) The Father calls the Son God

Heb 1:8 But to the Son He [the Father] says: “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER; A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM.
Heb 1:9 YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN YOUR COMPANIONS.”

The author of Hebrews quoted Psalm 46:6-7 to show that God (the Father) calls the Son (Jesus Christ) God.

A.9) Peter called Jesus God

2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Peter referred to Jesus Christ as both God and Saviour.

A.10) John described Jesus Christ as “the true God”

1 Joh 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

John referred to Jesus Christ as the true God.

B) Indirect statements showing Jesus is God

These provide irrefutable evidence that Jesus is God by connecting two or more verses.

B.1) Christ is referred to as God in the Old Testament

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders saw God – the God of the Old Testament.

Exo 24:9 Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,
Exo 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel.

They cannot have seen the Father because no one has seen the Father.

John 1:18 No one has seen God [the Father] at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

If they didn’t see the Father then the only other possibility is that they saw Jesus Christ, who is referred to here as God.

B.2) Christ is identified as Existing from Everlasting

The gospel of Matthew quotes Micah 5:2 when telling the account of Herod being troubled by news of Jesus’ birth.

Mat 2:4 And when he [Herod] had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Mat 2:5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
Mat 2:6 ‘BUT YOU, BETHLEHEM, IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, ARE NOT THE LEAST AMONG THE RULERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’ “

Matthew, in quoting Micah 5:2 clearly identifies the “ruler” as Jesus Christ. When we read the quote in Micah we see additional information.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Micah 5:2 describes the ruler, who is Jesus Christ, as having gone forth from of old, from everlasting. So, Jesus Christ has always existed. Thus, Jesus Christ was not created and He is God.

B.3) Jesus was worshipped

The following scriptures all show that Jesus was worshiped.

Mat 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Mat 8:2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Mat 9:18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”

Mat 14:33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Mat 15:25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

Mat 21:15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant
Mat 21:16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise‘?”

Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.

Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Mark 5:6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.

Luk 24:52 And they worshiped Him [the resurrected Christ], and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

Joh 9:36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”
Joh 9:37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”
Joh 9:38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

Heb 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Rev 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
…
Rev 5:14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

These Scriptures show that Jesus accepts worship from men, angels, and the twenty-four elders in heaven. He did not rebuke those who knelt before Him and worshiped Him. This is in contrast to Paul, Barnabas, and the angel John saw who refused to be worshiped.

Acts 14:13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
Acts 14:15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

Rev 22:8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

The fact that Jesus accepts worship proves that He is God.

B.4) Every Knee Shall Bow

Every knee will bow at the name of Jesus.

Phil 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Phil 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Rom 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

Note 1

Bowing the knee is an act of worship of Jesus, thus proving that He is God.

Note 2

Paul quoted Isaiah 45:23 to support his statement, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”. When we read the quote in Isaiah with the preceding verse we see additional information.

Isa 45:22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

The one speaking is God. Paul attributed something God spoke to Jesus Christ, thus proving that He is God.

B.5) The same Honour

Jesus said that all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father.

Joh 5:22 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
Joh 5:23 “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.

Revelation 7:12 states that honour belongs to God.

Rev 7:12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

To give to the Son the same honour as to the Father, shows that Jesus is God.

B.6) The same Glory

God does not give His glory to another.

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.

Isa 48:11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

Christ asked the Father to glorify Him with the Father, with the glory He had with the Father before the creation.

Joh 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Jesus Christ asked the Father to glorify Him with the glory he had with the Father before the world existed. He had glory with the Father, that is, they shared the same glory. But Isaiah states that God does not give His glory to another. So, Jesus must be God as well as the Father.

B.7) The authority to forgive sins

Jeremiah 31:34 states it is the LORD (God) who forgives sins.

Jer 31:34 “No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Jesus said He had power to forgive sins.

Mat 9:6 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins“; then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Luke 5:24 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins“; He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

The fact that Jesus has power to forgive sins proves that He is God.

B.8) Prayers to Jesus

Stephen Prayed to Jesus.

Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts 7:60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The church calls on the name of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Paul pleaded with the Lord (Jesus).

2 Cor 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

Peter told his listeners to call on the name of (i.e. pray to) Jesus. See Note 2 below.

Act 2:21 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’

Note 1

The fact that the apostles and the church prayed to Jesus proves that He is God.

Note 2

Peter, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost quoted from Joel.

Act 2:21 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [kurios] SHALL BE SAVED.’

Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD [YHVH] Shall be saved. ….

In Joel, the Hebrew word YHVH is used for LORD. When Peter quoted it, he used the Greek word kurios for Lord. Peter then went on to state that God has made Jesus kurios.

Act 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord [kurios] and Christ.”
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In other words Peter explained that Joel prophesied about Jesus and that the way to “call on the Lord” is to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. In his sermon, Peter explained that Jesus is LORD and thus God.

B.9) Jesus claimed equality with God

Jesus claimed equality with God.

Joh 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Jesus claimed equality with God and thus is God.

B.10) Jesus claimed Oneness with God

Jesus claimed to be one with the Father.

Joh 10:30 I and My Father are one.”

This is of course a claim of divinity. And this is how the Jews understood it because as the next few verses make clear.

Joh 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.
Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
Joh 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Jesus claim of oneness with God is a claim of divinity.

B.11) Jesus claimed the title “I AM”

“I AM” is the name of God; the name of the divine being who talked to Moses

Exo 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

Jesus claimed to be “I AM”.

Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

The Jews understood Jesus was claiming to be the divine being who spoke to Moses because they sought to kill Him – in their minds for blasphemy.

Joh 8:59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; …

Later on in His ministry when Jesus was arrested before His crucifixion, He made the same claim.

Joh 18:5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
Joh 18:6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Joh 18:7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”

Some translations add “He”, but the “He” is not in the Greek. Jesus simply said, “I am”.

Jesus claimed the title “I AM”, a title of God.

B.12) God refers to Himself in plural terms

God refers to Himself in plural terms in several places.

Gen 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.

Gen 11:7 “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

There is clearly more than one God being. There is only one candidate for a second God being, and that is Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus Christ is God.

B.13) Jesus is called “Son of God”

The term “Son of God”, referring to Jesus Christ, occurs about 45 times in the Bible. (It varies a little depending on the translation.) The term “Son of Man”, referring to Jesus Christ, occurs about twice as often. The term “Son of God” is used to affirm the divinity of Jesus, whereas the term “Son of Man” His humanity.

Why does the term “Son of God” infer divinity? The offspring (son) of a dog is a dog; the offspring (son) of a cat is a cat; and so on. The son of a man is a man. No one disputes these facts. Likewise, the Son of God is God. Thus Jesus, who is the son of God, is also God.

B.14) Christ has neither Beginning of Days nor End of Life

It is clear that Melchizedek cannot be a mere man, for the writer of Hebrews says that he “remains a priest continually” and that he has “neither beginning of days nor end of life”.

Heb 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
Heb 7:2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
Heb 7:3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Furthermore, he was still living thousands of years later.

Heb 7:8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

It is then evident from Hebrews that Melchizedek must be Jesus Christ and that he has existed eternally. So He must be God.

B.15) Jesus Demanded Loyalty

Jesus demanded absolute loyalty.

Mat 10:37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:39 “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

This kind of loyalty would be idolatry if Jesus were not God.

B.16) Jesus Demanded Faith in Him

Jesus demanded faith in Him.

Joh 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

Faith in anything other than God is idolatry. So Jesus must be God.

B.17) The Light of the World

Jesus claimed He is the light of the world.

Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

However, YHVH is described as a light of the world.

Psa 27:1 The LORD [YHVH] is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD [YHVH] is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Isa 60:19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD [YHVH] will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.

Jesus, by claiming to be the light of the world, identified Himself as YHVH, and hence God.

B.18) The Way to Eternal Life

Jesus claimed to be able to give eternal life in a number of ways.

Jesus claimed He had power to give life.

Joh 5:21 “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

Jesus will raise up to eternal life those who believe in Him.

Joh 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Joh 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Joh 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Meshall never die. Do you believe this?”

Whoever drinks the water Jesus gives will live forever.

Joh 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
Joh 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Whoever eats of the living bread (Jesus Christ) will live forever.

Joh 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

Jesus said he is the door through which people enter to be saved.

Joh 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The power to give eternal life is a divine power, a power which belongs to YHVH.

1 Sam 2:6 “The LORD [YHVH] kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.

Jesus’s numerous claims to be able to give eternal life are claims of divinity.

B.19) The Way

Jesus claimed to be the way.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Who can claim to be the way except God?

B.20) Without Me you can do Nothing

Jesus is the true vine, without which we can do nothing.

Joh 15:5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Being relied upon for everything is a quality of God. Even Jesus, as a human, could do nothing without His Father.

Joh 5:19 Then Jesus answered 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 whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise.

Joh 5:30 I can do nothing of My own self. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.

Jesus’s claim that we can do nothing without Him is a claim of divinity.

B.21) Power to Give Rest

Jesus claimed to have the power to give rest.

Mat 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Who but God has the power to give rest?

B.22) Words that Never Pass Away

Jesus claimed His words will never pass away.

Mark 13:31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

This echoes what God said in Isaiah.

Isa 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Who but God has the power to make such a claim?

B.23) Power to Answer Prayer

Jesus claimed to be able to answer prayer.

Joh 14:13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Who has the power to answer prayer except God?

B.24) Moses Wrote about Jesus

Jesus claimed Moses wrote about Him.

Joh 5:46 “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.”

This means that Jesus claimed to be God.

B.25) Authority of Jesus

We must do everything in the name (or authority) of Jesus Christ. Even when we pray to God the Father, we do so by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

This would be idolatry if Jesus were not God.

B.26) Christ is the Rock

The Old Testament states that the LORD is the Rock.

Deu 32:3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God.
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

The apostle Paul describes that Rock as Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Christ is the Rock and therefore the God of the Old Testament.

B.27) Jesus is The Holy One

The title “The Holy One” is clearly a title of God.

Isa 43:14 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives; The Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.
Isa 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.”

Isa 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

But Jesus is also called The Holy One, both by the angelic realm and the apostles.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 4:34 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are; the Holy One of God!”

Acts 3:14 “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

Acts 13:35 “Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

But there is none holy but God.

1Sa 2:2 “No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.

Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Thus, if Jesus is holy and only God is holy, Jesus must be God.

B.28) Jesus Christ is our Creator

The Old Testament states the everlasting God, the LORD, is the creator.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Isa 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

The New Testament elaborates stating that God the Father created all things through and by Jesus Christ (the Word).

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

Eph 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Heb 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Thus both the Father and Jesus Christ rightfully have the title of Creator. As our Creator, Jesus is God.

C) Scriptures where Christ is referred to as YHVH

YHVH is a title of God. It only ever refers to God. It means the self-existent one or eternal. So, if Jesus Christ is referred to as YHVH then Jesus Christ is God.

C.1) The one “whom they pierced”, that is Christ, is referred to as YHVH

Zec 12:4 “In that day,” says the LORD [YHVH], “I will strike every horse with confusion, …
Zec 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.

We see in this passage that Christ is referred to as YHVH, and thus is God.

C.2) The Way was prepared for YHVH and it was prepared for Christ

Isaiah says prepare the way of YHVH, make a highway for God.

Isa 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD [YHVH]; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God [Elohim].

Matthew identifies the LORD with Jesus Christ

Mat 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
Mat 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Mat 3:3 For this is he [Jesus Christ] who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'”

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.3) Lord of Lords

YHVH describes Himself as Lord of lords.

Deu 10:17 For the LORD [YHVH] your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.

Psa 136:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD [YHVH], for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psa 136:2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Psa 136:3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

But the title Lord of lords is also a title of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).

Rev 17:14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Lord of lords is also a title of The Word of God (Jesus Christ).

Rev 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
…
Rev 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

From these Scriptures we see that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords, and the Lord of Lords is YHVH. So Jesus is YHVH and thus is God.

C.4) “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” is both YHVH and Jesus Christ

In Isaiah 8:13-14, YHVH is identified as “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”.

Isa 8:13 The LORD [YHVH] of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Peter, in quoting this Scripture from Isaiah, identifies this same stumbling block as Jesus.

1 Pet 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”
1 Pet 2:8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” …

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.5) Peter, in Psalm 16, identified YHVH with Jesus

In Psalm 16:8 King David wrote that he had set YHVH before him.

Psa 16:8 I have set the LORD [YHVH] always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Peter, in quoting this Psalm, wrote that David spoke of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:25 “For David says concerning Him [Jesus Christ]: ‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.6) The Judge of all Men and Nations is both YHVH and Jesus Christ

Joel 3:11-12 states that YHVH will sit to judge all nations.

Joel 3:11 Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD [YHVH].
Joel 3:12 “Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

However, in the New Testament it states that that Jesus Christ will judge all nations.

Joh 5:22 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

Rev 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.7) Whoever calls on YHVH and Jesus Christ shall be saved

Joel states that whoever calls on the name of YHVH shall be saved.

Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD [YHVH] Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

The apostle Paul identifies the Lord in Joel 2:32 as Jesus Christ.

Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”
Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
Rom 10:13 For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”.

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.8) The one coming with His reward is both the Lord God (Adonay YHVH) and Jesus Christ

Isaiah states that the one who is coming with a reward is Lord God (Adonay YHVH).

Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD [Adonay YHVH] shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Revelation declares that the one who is coming with His reward, is Jesus Christ.

Rev 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.9) Abraham, Hagar, and Moses saw and spoke to YHVH

Abraham saw and spoke to YHVH.

Gen 18:1 Then the LORD [YHVH] appeared to him [Abraham] by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.
Gen 18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
Gen 18:3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.

Hagar saw and spoke to YHVH.

Gen 16:13 Then she [Hagar] called the name of the LORD [YHVH] who spoke to her, You-Are- the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”

Moses saw and spoke to YHVH.

Exo 33:11 So the LORD [YHVH] spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

Abraham, Hagar, and Moses did not see the Father because no one has seen the Father.

Joh 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

If they didn’t see the Father then the only other possibility is that they saw Jesus Christ, who is referred to here as YHVH. Thus Jesus Christ is God.

C.10) The Fountain of Life is both YHVH and Jesus Christ

The fountain of living waters is identified as YHVH in Jeremiah.

Jer 2:12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD.
Jer 2:13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jesus identified Himself as the fountain of living waters

From these two Scriptures we see YHVH is identified as Jesus Christ, and thus is God.

C.11) The Good Shepherd is YHVH and Jesus Christ

In Psalm 23, David calls YHVH my shepherd.

Psa 23:1 The LORD [YHVH] is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Jesus claimed to be the good shepherd.

Joh 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

From these Scriptures we see that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd, and the shepherd is YHVH. So Jesus is YHVH and thus is God.

C.12) The First and the Last is both YHVH and Jesus Christ

The book of Isaiah identifies “the first and the last” as YHVH.

Isa 41:4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD [YHVH], am the first; And with the last I am He.'”

Isa 44:6 “Thus says the LORD [YHVH], the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

But the book of Revelation identifies “the first and the last” as Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
Rev 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Rev 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

From these Scriptures we see that Jesus Christ is “the first and the last”, and “the first and the last” is YHVH. So Jesus is YHVH and thus is God.

C.13) The Judge of the Earth is both YHVH and the Son

Psalms 96 and 98 state that YHVH is coming to judge the earth.

Psa 96:10 Say among the nations, “The LORD [YHVH] reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.”
Psa 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Psa 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD.
Psa 96:13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.

Psa 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD [YHVH],
Psa 98:9 For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.

But Jesus said that the Father judges no one, but rather the Son will do all the judging.

Joh 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

From these Scriptures we see that only the Son will judge, and that judgement is done by YHVH. Therefore, the Son is YHVH and thus God.

C.14) The Bridegroom is both YHVH and Jesus

Jesus spoke of Himself as the coming bridegroom.

Mat 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

But in the book of Hosea, YHVH states that He is the future husband of Israel.

Hosea 2:16 “And it shall be, in that day,” Says the LORD [YHVH], “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’

From these Scriptures we see that Jesus is the bridegroom, and that the future husband of Israel is YHVH. Therefore, Jesus is YHVH and thus God.

C.15) He who Fights the Nations is both YHVH and Jesus

The book of Revelation states that Jesus Christ (The Word of God) will return to fight the nations.

Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
Rev 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Zechariah 14 describes this same event.

Zec 14:3 Then the LORD [YHVH] will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.
Zec 14:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
Zec 14:5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD [YHVH] my God will come, And all the saints with You.

From these Scriptures we see that He who fights the nations is both Jesus and YHVH, and thus Jesus is God.

D) Scriptures which mention Two Divine Beings

In several places in the Bible two divine beings are mentioned. One is obviously God (the Father). The other must be Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus is God.

D.1) Hagar and the Angel of YHWH

The Angel of YHWH appeared to Hagar.

Gen 16:7 Now the Angel of the LORD [YHVH] found her [Hagar] by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
Gen 16:8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”
Gen 16:9 The Angel of the LORD [YHVH] said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”
Gen 16:10 Then the Angel of the LORD [YHVH] said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”

The angel spoke as God, saying, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly”, and not, “The LORD will multiply your descendants exceedingly”. If the Angel of the LORD is God then there must be two divine beings, the Angel of the LORD and the LORD.

D.2) Two YHVHs Rained Brimstone and Fire on Sodom and Gomorrah

Gen 19:24 Then the LORD [YHVH] rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD [YHVH] out of the heavens.

YHVH rained brimstone and fire from YHVH. So there are two YHVHs, and thus two divine beings.

D.3) Abraham and the Angel of YHWH

The Angel ofYHWH appeared to Abraham just as he was about to slay Isaac.

Gen 22:10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
Gen 22:11 But the Angel of the LORD [YHVH] called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
Gen 22:12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Gen 22:13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

The angel spoke as God, saying, “You have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me”, and not “You have not withheld your son, your only son, from the LORD”. If the Angel of the LORD is God then there must be two divine beings, the Angel of the LORD and the LORD.

D.4) Moses and the Angel of YHWH

The Angel of YHWH appeared to Moses in the burning bush.

Exo 3:2 And the Angel of the LORD [YHVH] appeared to him [Moses] in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
Exo 3:3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
Exo 3:4 So when the LORD [YHVH] saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Exo 3:5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

In verse 4, the angel is referred to as LORD and then God. Furthermore, the Angel of the LORD caused the ground to be holy. But Revelation 15:4 states that God alone is holy.

Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Thus the Angel of the LORD here must be a divine being and so there must be two divine beings, the Angel of the LORD and the LORD.

D.5) An Angel before Israel

God sent an angel to go before ancient Israel.

Exo 23:20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
Exo 23:21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.

God spoke of an Angel with authority to not forgive sins and who carried “My Name” (God’s name). This can only describe God meaning there are two divine beings.

D.5) Two YHVHs of Psalm 110

Psa 110:1 The LORD [YHVH] said to my Lord [Adon], “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

In Psalm 110, King David wrote that the LORD (YHVH) spoke to his Lord (Adon). David had no earthly Lord, so when David wrote “my Lord” he obviously referred to God. So, in effect, he wrote, “the LORD said to my God”, hence there are two God beings.

The synoptic gospels make no distinction between YHVH and Adon when quoting Ps 110:1 in Greek. They treat YHVH and Adon as the same.

Mat 22:44 ‘The Lord [kurios] said to my Lord [kurios], “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”‘?

However, in this short Psalm there is additional proof that there are two YHVHs.

One of the Appendices in Bullinger’s companion Bible lists 135 or so instances in the Hebrew text where the Scribes changed the Hebrew word YHVH to Adonay. One of those places the Scribes changed YHVH to Adonay is Psalm 110:5.

Psa 110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.

Verse 5 thus says “The YHVH is at your right hand”, but verse 1 says, “The YHVH said to my Adon, ‘Sit at My right hand’”. In other words, YHVH is at the right hand of YHVH. Thus, there are two YHVHs.

D.6) Jeremiah talks of two YHVH’s

Jeremiah 23:5-6 states that YHVH will raise to David a King whose name is “The YHVH our Righteousness”.

Jer 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD [YHVH], “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD [YHVH] OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Two YHVHs are being spoken of here, and thus two God beings.

D.7). The Son of Man and the Ancient of Days

Daniel was given a vision of the Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days.

Dan 7:13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
Dan 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

Note that the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13 is Jesus Christ as Mark 14:61-62 makes clear.

Mar 14:61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
Mar 14:62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Note also that “peoples, nations, and languages” serve the Son of Man, that is, they worship Him. If the Son of Man was not divine, this worship would be idolatrous. So there are two divine beings spoken of here: the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) and the Ancient of Days (God the Father).

D.8) Jacob and the Angel

Hosea 12:2-5 recounts how Jacob wrestled with an angel.

Hosea 12:2 “The LORD also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.
Hosea 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.
Hosea 12:4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us;
Hosea 12:5 That is, the LORD [YHVH] God of hosts. The LORD [YHVH] is His memorable name.

This angel was obviously sent by YHVH but verse 5 identifies the angel as also YHVH, which makes two YHVHs.

D.9) Two YHVHs in Zechariah

Zechariah 2:8-9 states that YHVH was sent by YHVH.

Zec 2:8 For thus says the LORD [YHVH] of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
Zec 2:9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD [YHVH] of hosts has sent Me.

Verse 8 states that YHVH was sent. Verse 9 states He was sent by YHVH. Thus there are two YHVHs.

D.10) Joshua the High Priest and the Angel of YHWH

Zechariah 3:1-2 also speaks of two YHVHs.

Zec 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD [YHVH], and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD [YHVH] said to Satan, “The LORD [YHVH] rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

The Angel of YHVH in verse 1 is subsequently referred to as YHVH in verse 2 when speaking to Satan. Clearly there are two YHVHs.

E) The Divine Nature of God

We now cover four divine attributes of God, as revealed in Scripture, which perhaps at first sight appear contradictory. We have already covered the first one in great detail. The others are covered below.

There are two divine beings: The Father and the Son
The Father is Greater than the Son
The Father and Son are One
There is One God

E.1) There are Two Divine Beings: The Father and the Son

The previous sections A) to D) have established this in great detail.

E.2) The Father is Greater than the Son

There are several Scriptures which clearly show that the Father is greater than the Son.

Jesus stated that His Father was greater than He is. Although it could be argued that Jesus only meant this while He was in the flesh, He never hinted at this.

Joh 14:28 “You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

God (the Father) is the head of Christ, and thus greater.

1 Cor 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

God the Father is above all – including the one Lord (Jesus Christ).

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

At the end, the Son will be subject to the Father.

1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He [the Son] delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For “HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He [the Father] who put all things under Him [the Son] is excepted.
1Co 15:28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him [the Father]who put all things under Him [the Son], that God may be all in all.

E.3) The Father and Son are One

Jesus clearly stated that He is one with the Father.

Joh 10:30 I and My Father are one.

The oneness between the Father and the Son is such that it is described as “the Father is in the Son” and “the Son is in the Father”.

Joh 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
Joh 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

E.4) There is One God

There are many Scriptures which state there is one God. One of the most well-known is probably Deuteronomy 6:4 which states that the LORD God is one.

Deu 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

For a more detailed discussion on the possible meanings of this verse, see “What does Deu 6:4 “the LORD is one” mean in the Shema?”

Here are several other Scriptures which clearly state that there is one God.

Deu 4:35 “To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.

Deu 32:39 ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

2 Sam 7:22 “Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Isa 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

Isa 44:6 “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last;Besides Me there is no God.

Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,

Mark 12:32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.

Rom 3:30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

1 Cor 8:4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

Gal 3:20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

The question remains how these four attributes of God (repeated below) can be understood so that they are consistent with each other.

There are two divine beings: The Father and the Son
The Father is Greater than the Son
The Father and Son are One
There is One God

The name “God” is like a family name or surname. This is what John explained in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” So Jesus was both with God and God. We could say something similar of a man named John Smith and his father. John was both with Smith (his father) and was Smith.

In a human family there is a father, a mother, and children. In the “God” family there isn’t a mother, but the terms father, son, and children are used. Obviously, God the Father is referred to as “Father” and Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Son”. We are the children, for we are called sons of God and children of God.

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

1Jn 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Understanding God to be like a family, the four apparently contradictory attributes all mesh with each other beautifully. There are two members of the God family, the Father and the Son, of whom the Father is greater. The Father and Son are so close to each other in mind and purpose that they consider themselves one and living in each other. And there is just one God family, not many gods like the gods of pagan polytheism.

Finally, God’s jaw-dropping purpose in creating mankind is that, just as children are like their parents, so too, our destiny is ultimately to become like God.

Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

We will one day be born into God’s family as eternal spirit beings. There will still be one God family, one God the Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, and many children.

F) Difficult Scriptures

With the understanding that God is like a family, we are now in a position to address some difficult Scriptures.

F.1) There is One God the Father and One Lord Jesus Christ

There are a couple of Scriptures which state that there is one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

These can be understood as there is one God family which consists of two God beings. One is called “God the Father” and the other one is called “Lord Jesus Christ”.

F.2) The Father was the God of the Old Testament

There are some Scriptures which state that the Father was the God of the Old Testament.

Acts 3:13 “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, …

Acts 5:30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

These two verses clearly state that the being who raised Jesus (who is of course The Father) was the God of our fathers. This has to be understood in the context of other Scriptures which clearly show that Jesus Christ was the divine being who dealt with their fathers. For example:

1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

1Co 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

How do we explain this? Clearly, the fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were aware of two divine beings, and they worshipped both of them.

F.3) Christ is the Firstborn

In Colossians 1:15 we find the phrase “firstborn over all creation”. Some misunderstand this to mean that Christ was the first being to be created.

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [prototokos] over all creation.

“Firstborn” is translated from the Greek word, prototokos, which means firstborn.

Note 1

A few verses later in verse 18, Paul clearly explained what he meant by the term firstborn.

Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn [prototokos] from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Paul clearly stated that firstborn means that Christ was the firstborn from the dead. It has nothing to do with being created.

Note 2

Firstborn is also a title of pre-eminence. Firstborn over all creation means that Jesus has pre-eminence over all creation. He has pre-eminence over all creation because He created it all.

An example of firstborn meaning pre-eminence is found in Psalm 89:20

Psa 89:20 I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him.

And then verse 27:

Psa 89:27 And I will make him My first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.

David, who was the last one born in his family, was called the firstborn by God. So firstborn can be used as a title of pre-eminence.

So the term firstborn in Colossians 1:15 is used as a title of pre-eminence and also to mean that Jesus was the firstborn from the dead.

F.4) Christ is the Beginning of Creation

In Revelation 3:14 we read that Jesus Christ is the beginning of the creation?

Rev 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning [arche] of the creation of God:

Some misunderstand this to mean that Christ was the first being to be created. “Beginning” is translated from the Greek word, arche, which means commencement or chief. In fact, some translations have, “the chief of creation”. Jesus Christ is “commencement” or “chief” of creation” in that he is the origin of the creation, since God created all things through Jesus.

Eph 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

F.5) The Father granted the Son to have life in Himself

Joh 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

The context of John 5:26 is not the origin of Jesus but rather resurrections and eternal life. In John 5:19 Jesus said He could do nothing of Himself.

Joh 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

In verse 26 Jesus acknowledged His total reliance on the Father. He gave up His divine powers and immortality when He came in the flesh and only the Father could restore that to Him, hence “He has granted the Son to have life in Himself” is a reference to the Father restoring the Son to His former divine glory.

F.6) Jesus did not Know Everything

There are several occasions were Jesus didn’t know something. The reasoning here is that if Jesus didn’t know something that could have be known, then He cannot be God.

Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?“

Mark 6:38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

Mark 9:20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
Mark 9:21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.

Mark 13:32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

When Jesus Christ was in the flesh He was not fully God, (He did not have all His divine powers), and therefore could not know everything the Father knew.

F.7) The Father gives many things to the Son

There are several Scriptures which state that the Father gives things to the Son.

Mat 20:23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink 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 Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Luk 10:22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

Luk 22:29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,

Joh 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

Joh 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

Joh 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

Act 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Act 5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Eph 1:20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Eph 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Heb 2:8 YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

Heb 10:12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 10:13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.

These Scriptures, which state that the Father gives many things to the Son, fit with the fact that the Father is greater than the Son.

F.8) The Father was Jesus’ God

There are many Scriptures which state that God the Father is Jesus’ God.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'”

Rom 15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

2 Cor 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Col 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Rev 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Some misunderstand this as problematic, because how can God (Jesus Christ) have a God (the Father)? However, these Scriptures fit with the fact that the Father is greater than the Son and do not lessen in any way Christ’s divinity.

Note

It may help our understanding to realise the following.

There are Scriptures which state that as a human Jesus worshipped the Father, for example He often prayed to the Father.

There are no Scriptures which state that as a divine spirit being in full power and glory Jesus worships the Father.

There are Scriptures which state that the resurrected saints (of whom Jesus is their elder brother) worship both the Father and the Jesus Christ.

Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

This means that the relationship which Jesus has with His God (the Father) is different to the relationship that we have with God the Father.

F.9) The Only True God

John 17:3 states that God the Father is the only true God.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

However, Jesus Christ is also the true God.

These verses can be understood to mean that both the Son and the Father are the true God, but that the Father is greater than the Son.

F.10) The Father alone has Immortality

There is one Scripture which some misunderstand as stating that the Father alone has Immortality.

1Ti 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
1Ti 6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
1Ti 6:15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Is the “He” Jesus Christ or the Father? It’s not clear. King of kings and Lord of Lords is a title that only appears elsewhere in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16, when clearly referring to Jesus Christ. So it looks like the “He” in this verse refers to Jesus Christ.

1Ti 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

“Whom no man has seen or can see” is clearly referring to the Father as no one has seen the Father at any time, John 1:18. But who is being referred to in “who alone has immortality”? Jesus Christ or the Father? It’s not clear.

Here are two possible ways of understanding this text.

First Possible Meaning

The phrase “who alone has immortality” refers to both Jesus Christ and the Father.

Second Possible Meaning

The phrase “who alone has immortality” refers to God the Father only. The Greek word translated “immortality” is athanasia and means undying, immortality, everlasting. It comes from the Greek a meaning without and thanasia meaning death. So it literally means without death or deathlessness. Although Jesus Christ has immortality and we will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53-54, which uses the same Greek word athanasia), perhaps this verse makes the point that since Jesus Christ ceased to exist for three days and nights, only the Father has never ceased to exist, and in that sense “alone has immortality”.

Third Possible Meaning

The phrase “who alone has immortality” refers to God the Father. Although Jesus Christ has immortality, it is phrased this way to reflect the hierarchy of the Godhead, namely that the head of Jesus Christ is God the Father (1 Corinthians 11:3).

Conclusion

There are an abundance of Scriptures which show that Jesus is God. The difficult Scriptures which seem to contradict this can be explained by understanding that God is like a family with God the Father as head and Jesus Christ at His right hand, both eternal uncreated beings in perfect unity, who together created all things (which have been created).

We will one day be born into God’s family as eternal spirit beings. There will still be one God family, one God the Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, but many children.