When considering Jesus
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” (Col. 2:9; NIV)
Warning about “Another Jesus” who is false
The apostle Paul warned the church about false prophets who would teach another Jesus. “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Cor. 11:4). The notion that Jesus isn’t God is actually a belief in the wrong Jesus.
The Bible directly and indirectly states that Jesus is God
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” … “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...” (John 1:1, John 1:14) - Other verses: John 20:28, Rom. 9:5; Phil. 2:6; Titus 2:13, Heb. 1:8, 1 John 5:20, John 13:3, 17:5, Col. 1:15–19, 1 Tim. 3:16, and Heb. 1:3
The names applied to Jesus
He is called…
God - “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isa. 40:3 NIV)
Mighty God & Everlasting Father – “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.” (Isa. 9:6 NIV)
Immanuel, “God with us” – “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel. (which means “God with us”). (Matt. 1:22–23 NIV).
Son of God – “But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom(Heb. 1:8 NIV) – Other verses: 1 Tim. 3:16; John 10:36
Lord – “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28)
The Bible ascribes the characteristics of deity to Jesus
Jesus is described as…
Eternal: “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. (Isa. 9:6) - Other verses: Micah 5:2; John 1:1–2; 8:58; 17:5; 24; Col. 1:15, 17; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 1:8
Omnipresent: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matt. 18:20) – Other verses: Matt. 28:20; John 3:13
Omniscient: “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” - (John 2:24, 25) – Other verses: 16:30; 21:17; Revelation 2:23
Omnipotent: “…who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Phil. 3:21) – Other verses: Isaiah 9:6; Rev. 1:8; cf. John 5:17; Heb. 1:3; Matt. 28:18
Immutable: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8 NIV) -and Heb. 1:10-12
Jesus performed works which only God as creator can do
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3, 10) – Other verses: Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2,10
Jesus is the upholder of all things
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:17) – Other verses: Heb. 1:3; cf. Luke 10:22; John 3:35; 17:2; Eph. 1:22
Jesus forgives sin
“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home.” (Matt. 9:2–7) - Other verses: Mark 2:7; Luke 7:47, 48; Col. 3:13
Jesus will raise the dead and execute judgment
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25) – Other verses: John 5:25, 28–29; 6:39, 40, 54; John 5:22
Jesus Himself claimed deity and He taught His disciples to pray in His name
“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23, 24 NIV)
Jesus claimed that He and the Father were one and that He was the Son of God
“I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30) – Other verses: John 19:36; 14:9; 17:11
Therefore…
Jesus claimed that to know Him was to know God, to see Him was to see God, to receive Him was to receive God, to believe Him was to believe in God and to honor Him was to honor God, while to hate Him was to hate God.
“If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:7 NLT) - Other verses: John 8:18; John 12:45; 14:9; Mark 9:37; John 12:44; 14:1; John 5:23; John 15:23
Quote:
“Now the Christian meaning of the term “deity of Christ” is fairly clear. The Christian believes that there is a personal God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, a God who is infinite, eternal and unchangeable. So when the Christian says that Jesus Christ is God, or when he says that he believes in the “deity of Christ,” he means that that same person who is known to history as Jesus of Nazareth existed, before He became man, from all eternity as infinite, eternal and unchangeable God, the second person of the holy Trinity.” - J. Gresham Machen, What is the Deity of Christ?