The Deity Of Jesus Christ

Introduction: Let’s say you were walking in the woods here in Potter County on a beautiful sunny day, and you looked up and saw an animal that was light brown in color, had white on it’s neck and belly, had a short tail with white on the underside, stood about 4 feet high from ground to back, was about 5 feet long from head to tail, had four legs with black hooves, has two somewhat large ears that are standing up, is snorting and stomping it’s front leg, has two sets of antlers that have five points on each antler, runs with great speed after it gets wind of you, and jumps over fallen trees with ease and grace. Would you agree with me that the animal I have just described to you has the attributes of a white-tailed deer? If you don’t it is probably because I have left out something in my description that would help distinguish it from a few other animals, but most likely your first impression was the white-tailed deer? Why? Because of the description I gave to you. Those particular attributes caused you to think of the white-tailed deer.

I did that little exercise to introduce our study this evening concerning the deity of Jesus Christ, for I want us to study some of the attributes that Jesus possessed that are clearly divine in nature and character. There should be no doubt in our mind that Jesus is God because He also has all the attributes of God. We will examine, Lording willing, five of those attributes this evening.

I. He Is Omniscient (all-knowing).

A. Meaning: The word “omniscience” comes from two Latin words, “omnis,” signifying all, and “sciens,” signifying knowledge. This term denotes the infinite intelligence of God - His knowledge of all things.

B. Scriptural Proof of God’s Omniscience: Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

C. References For Jesus’ Omniscience: John 4:18, 25, 26, 29; 6:64; 13:11; 19:28; 21:17

1. He knew people’s thoughts: John 2:24, 25; 5:42; 6:6; 16:19, 30

2. He foretold His own death by crucifixion and resurrection:

Ÿ He knew He would die in Jerusalem--Matt. 16:21

Ÿ That the Sanhedrin would cause Him suffering--Matt. 16:21

Ÿ That He would be betrayed to the Sanhedrin and condemned by them--Matt. 20:18

Ÿ That He would be delivered into the hands of the Romans who would mock and scourge, and kill Him--Matt. 20:19

Ÿ That He would arise from the dead on the third day--Matt. 20:19

II. He Is Omnipresent (everywhere).
A. Meaning: The word “omnipresence” comes from two Latin words “omnis” meaning all, and “praesen” which means “to be at hand or present.” The Word of God represents God as filling immensity; He is present everywhere and there is no point in the universe where He is not.

B. Scriptural Proof of God’s Omnipresence: Psalm 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

C. References For Jesus’ Omnipresence: Matthew 18:20; 28:20; Ephesians 1:23

The constant, abiding presence of Christ in the believer through the Holy Spirit of God is a source of great hope and comfort; His omnipresence enables believers to live righteously--Romans 8:10

III. He Is Omnipotent (all-powerful).
A. Meaning: The word omnipotence comes from two Latin words “omnis” and “potens,” signifying “all power.” By this attribute of God is meant His unlimited power, His power to do whatever He chooses to do. The omnipotence of God is the attribute by which He can bring to pass anything which He wills. God’s omnipotence does not mean the exercise of His power in doing that which is inconsistent with the nature of things, such as making of a past event to have not occurred; the drawing of a shorter than a straight line between two given points. It is impossible for God to lie, to sin, to die, to make wrong to be right, or hatred of Himself to be blessed. To do such things would not imply power, but impotence. God has all the power that is consistent with infinite perfection - all power to do what is worthy of Himself.

Illustration: A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. “Young man,” said the professor, “If you can tell me something God can do, I’ll give you a big, shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!”

B. Scriptural Proof of Omnipotence: Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

C. References concerning Jesus’ Omnipotence:

Ÿ In the realm of quality--John 2:1-11 (water into wine)

Ÿ In the realm of space -- John 4:46-54 (healing of nobleman’s son from a distance)

Ÿ In the realm of time -- John 5:1-18 (healing of man at the pool of Bethesda who had been sick for 38 yrs.)

Ÿ In the realm of quantity -- John 6:1-14 (feeding of 5000)

Ÿ In the realm of nature -- John 6:16-21 (walking on water)

Ÿ In the realm of misfortune -- John 9:1-41 (healing of blind man)

Ÿ In the realm of death -- John 11:1-44 (raising Lazarus from the dead)

Ÿ In the realm of forgiving sins and giving salvation -- Mark 2:5,7,10

IV. He Is Eternal.
A. Meaning: Eternity is infinite duration, i.e., duration without beginning or ending.

B. Scriptural Proof: Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

C. References Concerning Jesus’ Eternality

With this point we return to some of the NT references we have already examined while studying the names of Jesus that prove His deity.

Ÿ John 1:1,2 - the word was in the phrase “In the beginning was the Word” is the Greek word hen, the imperfect tense of eimi, which stresses continual existence in past time. The phrase could thus be translated, “In the beginning the Word was continually existing.”

Ÿ John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Ÿ John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. The words “I had” are in the imperfect tense, and like in John 1:2, they refer to continuous action in past time. Thus, it can be said that Christ continually shared the glory of God in eternity past; there never was a time when Christ did not have the glory of God.

Ÿ Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: The word “form” refers to that which is intrinsic and essential; it applies to the attributes of the Godhead. There is a word, I believe missing from our KJV rendering of this verse, that would make the verse come alive in regard to Jesus’ eternality. It is the Greek word hyparchon which is in the present tense and emphasizes the continual existence of Christ in eternity past. The NASV translates Phil. 2:6 this way, “who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” It is that word “existed” that translates the Greek word hyparchon.

Ÿ Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. The present tense “is” emphasizes Christ’s eternal existence and sustaining power. Before anything came into being, “He is” (autos estin) - He is continually existing. The statement demands Christ’s eternality. Since Christ is eternal, He holds all things together; if He was not eternal, He could not hold all things together through His sustaining power.

Ÿ Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. It is indisputable that the subject of this verse is about Jesus Christ. Matthew quotes the verse in describing the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matt. 2:6). Significantly, Micah describes the coming Messiah as one whose “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” The Messiah is eternal; Jesus is eternal

V. He Is Unchanging - Immutable

A. Meaning: God is unchangeable and admits of no possibility of variation. This does not imply inactivity or immobility for God is infinite in power and energy. Nor does it imply lack of feeling, for God is capable of infinite sympathy. It does not imply that God is incapable of making free choices for to God belongs the inalienable right to choose ends and the means of attaining them. Nor does it prohibit God from progressively unfolding and carrying out His plans and purposes.

B. Scriptural Proof: Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Psalm 102:26,27 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

C. References Proving Jesus’ Immutability

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Conclusion: I come back to where I started this study this evening. We have examined five attributes of God, what those attributes mean, where they are described in God’s Word and then examined verses that declare Jesus Christ possessed the same attributes. My conclusion is that Jesus is God fully. The description matches and therefore the conclusion we must arrive at is that Jesus is God.


		The Deity Of Jesus Christ He Possessed The Attributes Of God

Home Baptist Basics Documents Messages Ministries Crusader Club Our Missionaries Our History Guest Book Contact Directions Helpful Links Announcements Vacation Bible School	Introduction: Let’s say you were walking in the woods here in Potter County on a beautiful sunny day, and you looked up and saw an animal that was light brown in color, had white on it’s neck and belly, had a short tail with white on the underside, stood about 4 feet high from ground to back, was about 5 feet long from head to tail, had four legs with black hooves, has two somewhat large ears that are standing up, is snorting and stomping it’s front leg, has two sets of antlers that have five points on each antler, runs with great speed after it gets wind of you, and jumps over fallen trees with ease and grace. Would you agree with me that the animal I have just described to you has the attributes of a white-tailed deer? If you don’t it is probably because I have left out something in my description that would help distinguish it from a few other animals, but most likely your first impression was the white-tailed deer? Why? Because of the description I gave to you. Those particular attributes caused you to think of the white-tailed deer. I did that little exercise to introduce our study this evening concerning the deity of Jesus Christ, for I want us to study some of the attributes that Jesus possessed that are clearly divine in nature and character. There should be no doubt in our mind that Jesus is God because He also has all the attributes of God. We will examine, Lording willing, five of those attributes this evening. I. He Is Omniscient (all-knowing). A. Meaning: The word “omniscience” comes from two Latin words, “omnis,” signifying all, and “sciens,” signifying knowledge. This term denotes the infinite intelligence of God - His knowledge of all things. B. Scriptural Proof of God’s Omniscience: Isaiah 40:28 *Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.* Psalm 139:2 *Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.* C. References For Jesus’ Omniscience: John 4:18, 25, 26, 29; 6:64; 13:11; 19:28; 21:17 1. He knew people’s thoughts: John 2:24, 25; 5:42; 6:6; 16:19, 30 2. He foretold His own death by crucifixion and resurrection: Ÿ He knew He would die in Jerusalem--Matt. 16:21 Ÿ That the Sanhedrin would cause Him suffering--Matt. 16:21 Ÿ That He would be betrayed to the Sanhedrin and condemned by them--Matt. 20:18 Ÿ That He would be delivered into the hands of the Romans who would mock and scourge, and kill Him--Matt. 20:19 Ÿ That He would arise from the dead on the third day--Matt. 20:19 II. He Is Omnipresent (everywhere). A. Meaning: The word “omnipresence” comes from two Latin words “omnis” meaning all, and “praesen” which means “to be at hand or present.” The Word of God represents God as filling immensity; He is present everywhere and there is no point in the universe where He is not. B. Scriptural Proof of God’s Omnipresence: Psalm 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. C. References For Jesus’ Omnipresence: Matthew 18:20; 28:20; Ephesians 1:23 The constant, abiding presence of Christ in the believer through the Holy Spirit of God is a source of great hope and comfort; His omnipresence enables believers to live righteously--Romans 8:10 III. He Is Omnipotent (all-powerful). A. Meaning: The word omnipotence comes from two Latin words “omnis” and “potens,” signifying “all power.” By this attribute of God is meant His unlimited power, His power to do whatever He chooses to do. The omnipotence of God is the attribute by which He can bring to pass anything which He wills. God’s omnipotence does not mean the exercise of His power in doing that which is inconsistent with the nature of things, such as making of a past event to have not occurred; the drawing of a shorter than a straight line between two given points. It is impossible for God to lie, to sin, to die, to make wrong to be right, or hatred of Himself to be blessed. To do such things would not imply power, but impotence. God has all the power that is consistent with infinite perfection - all power to do what is worthy of Himself. Illustration: A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. “Young man,” said the professor, “If you can tell me something God can do, I’ll give you a big, shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!” B. Scriptural Proof of Omnipotence: Job 42:2 *I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.* Jeremiah 32:17 *Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:* C. References concerning Jesus’ Omnipotence: Ÿ In the realm of quality--John 2:1-11 (water into wine) Ÿ In the realm of space -- John 4:46-54 (healing of nobleman’s son from a distance) Ÿ In the realm of time -- John 5:1-18 (healing of man at the pool of Bethesda who had been sick for 38 yrs.) Ÿ In the realm of quantity -- John 6:1-14 (feeding of 5000) Ÿ In the realm of nature -- John 6:16-21 (walking on water) Ÿ In the realm of misfortune -- John 9:1-41 (healing of blind man) Ÿ In the realm of death -- John 11:1-44 (raising Lazarus from the dead) Ÿ In the realm of forgiving sins and giving salvation -- Mark 2:5,7,10 IV. He Is Eternal. A. Meaning: Eternity is infinite duration, i.e., duration without beginning or ending. B. Scriptural Proof: Deuteronomy 33:27 *The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.* Psalm 90:2 *Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.* C. References Concerning Jesus’ Eternality With this point we return to some of the NT references we have already examined while studying the names of Jesus that prove His deity. Ÿ John 1:1,2 - the word was in the phrase “In the beginning was the Word” is the Greek word hen, the imperfect tense of eimi, which stresses continual existence in past time. The phrase could thus be translated, “In the beginning the Word was continually existing.” Ÿ John 8:58 - *Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.* Ÿ John 17:5 *And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.* The words “I had” are in the imperfect tense, and like in John 1:2, they refer to continuous action in past time. Thus, it can be said that Christ continually shared the glory of God in eternity past; there never was a time when Christ did not have the glory of God. Ÿ Phil. 2:6 *Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:* The word “form” refers to that which is intrinsic and essential; it applies to the attributes of the Godhead. There is a word, I believe missing from our KJV rendering of this verse, that would make the verse come alive in regard to Jesus’ eternality. It is the Greek word hyparchon which is in the present tense and emphasizes the continual existence of Christ in eternity past. The NASV translates Phil. 2:6 this way, “who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” It is that word “existed” that translates the Greek word hyparchon. Ÿ Colossians 1:17 *And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.* The present tense “is” emphasizes Christ’s eternal existence and sustaining power. Before anything came into being, “He is” (autos estin) - He is continually existing. The statement demands Christ’s eternality. Since Christ is eternal, He holds all things together; if He was not eternal, He could not hold all things together through His sustaining power. Ÿ Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. It is indisputable that the subject of this verse is about Jesus Christ. Matthew quotes the verse in describing the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matt. 2:6). Significantly, Micah describes the coming Messiah as one whose “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” The Messiah is eternal; Jesus is eternal V. He Is Unchanging - Immutable A. Meaning: God is unchangeable and admits of no possibility of variation. This does not imply inactivity or immobility for God is infinite in power and energy. Nor does it imply lack of feeling, for God is capable of infinite sympathy. It does not imply that God is incapable of making free choices for to God belongs the inalienable right to choose ends and the means of attaining them. Nor does it prohibit God from progressively unfolding and carrying out His plans and purposes. B. Scriptural Proof: Malachi 3:6 *For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Psalm 102:26,27* They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. James 1:17 *Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.* C. References Proving Jesus’ Immutability Hebrews 13:8 - *Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.* Conclusion: I come back to where I started this study this evening. We have examined five attributes of God, what those attributes mean, where they are described in God’s Word and then examined verses that declare Jesus Christ possessed the same attributes. My conclusion is that Jesus is God fully. The description matches and therefore the conclusion we must arrive at is that Jesus is God.