This is the last in our series of three lessons regarding the incarnation of Jesus Christ. As we learned in a previous study, a belief in the incarnation is absolutely necessary for the Christian. We’ve seen Biblical proof for the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in this study we will examine the Biblical proof for his Deity.
The first proof that I would like to consider is that…
Jesus Claimed to be Divine
• John 5:23. Q. How did Jesus claim He should be honoured?
• John 10:30,31. Q. What did Jesus claim about He and the Father?
Q. Considering the Jews reaction, how did they interpret Jesus’ claim?
In John 5 we read about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath at the pool of Bethesda. The Jews immediately began to accuse Jesus of not keeping the Sabbath. • Q. How did Jesus answer them in John 5:17?
• John 5:18. Q. After hearing this response, the Jews “sought the more to kill Him”. Why?
If Jesus did not claim to be God, he could very easily have quelled the anger of the Jews by explaining what he really meant. The fact is, during his earthly ministry Jesus made it very clear that he was God in the flesh. He even claimed one of the most revered names of God in the Old Testament for himself (John 8:58).
• John 14:7. Q. According to Jesus, if we know Him, whom also do we know?
• John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the ___________ which I had with thee ___________________.
• Read Phil 2:5-8. Write verse 6 below:
Jesus Is Worshiped
Next in our consideration of the deity of Jesus Christ we will look at the fact that Jesus Accepted Worship as God.
• Acts 10:25,26. Q. What did Peter do when Cornelius worshiped him?
• Rev 22:8,9. Q. Who did John attempt to worship? _________________.
Q. How did the angel react to this? Who did the angel tell John to worship?
From the above verses we see that it is God and God alone who deserves worship. The Bible shows us that neither man, nor angels deserve or should accept worship. With this in mind consider the following verses.
| Who worshiped? | Who was worshiped? | |
| Matthew 2:11 | ||
| Matthew 8:2 | ||
| Matthew 9:18 | ||
| Matthew 14:33 |
||
| Matthew 15:25 | ||
| Matthew 28:9 | ||
| Matthew 28:17 | ||
| Mark 5:6 | ||
| Luke 24:52 |
Q. Did Jesus refuse worship in any of the above passages? _________.
• Exodus 34:14. Q. In your own words, what does this verse say?
The Bible is clear that Jesus never refused to be worshiped. In fact, the Bible teaches that the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ glorifies the Father.
• Phil 2:10 That at the __________________________ every knee should __________, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, ______________________________________________.
Jesus was more than a man. He accepted worship because he deserved worship as the son of God! Think & Discuss. How can we worship Jesus in our own lives?
Jesus Possessed Divine Attributes
We have seen that Jesus claimed to be God and he accepted worship that is due only to God. Next let’s look at the fact that Jesus Possessed Divine Attributes.
He is Eternal
• John 1:1,2 In the _________________ was the Word, and the Word was ____________________, and the Word ___________________. The same was in the beginning with God.
• Hebrews 1:8 But unto the __________ he saith, Thy throne, O __________, is for ________ ______ ________: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
• Rev 1:8. Q. What conclusions do you draw regarding the nature of Jesus from this verse?
• Col 1:17. And he is ______________ _______ ______________.
• John 17:5. Q. Jesus existed “before _______ ________ _________.”
He is Unchanging
• Malachi 3:6, speaking of God the father says “I am the Lord, I ________________ ___________.
• Heb 13:8. Q. How does this verse compare with Malachi 3:6?
He is Omnipotent (All Powerful)
• Heb 1:3. Q. How are all things upheld?__________________________.
He is Omnipresent (Always Present)
• Matt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, ___________________________________________.
• John 14:23. Q. How does this verse teach Jesus’ omnipresence?
• Matt 28:20. Q. Jesus said “I am with you ____________, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
These are but a few of the divine attributes exhibited by Christ during his earthly ministry. As a man Jesus did not always avail himself to his divine attributes, but as God he did always possess them. T•D. Why do you think Jesus did not always avail himself to his abilities as God?
Other Proofs of Christ’s Deity
Lastly, let’s consider three more Biblical proofs for the deity of Christ.
1. He Did Things Only God Can Do.
Write the action which Christ performed beside the verses below.
John 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 1:10. _______________________________.
Heb 1:3, Col 1:17 ________________________________________.
John 10:28, John 17:2_____________________________________.
2. Old Testament Statements Regarding God are Ascribed to Him
By comparing the following passages you will see that Old Testament scriptures clearly referring to God are applied to Jesus in the New Testament.
• Psalm 102:24-27 Hebrews 1:8-12
Q. According to v24 in Psalms, who is the psalmist addressing?__________
Q. In Heb 1:8, who is this prophecy ascribed to? __________________
• Isaiah 40:3-4 Matt 3:3, Luke 1:76
Q. How do these verses in Isaiah and Matthew prove that Jesus is God?
• Isaiah 8:13-14 1 Peter 2:7,8
Q. Why does the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 8:13,14 prove that Jesus is God?
3. Divine Names are Given to Him
Find and write the divine names given to Jesus in the verses below.
• Acts 3:13 __________________________. (21x’s)
• Acts 3:14 _____________________. (4x’s)
• Matthew 14:23 _____________________. (40x’s)
• 1 Cor 2:8 _____________________. (2x’s)
• Matthew 1:23 _____________________.
• John 20:28 _____________________.
• Titus 2:13 _____________________.
Although men may argue or discuss the nature of Jesus, one thing is sure, the Word of God teaches clearly that Jesus claimed to be God, was worshiped as God, did things only God could do, fulfilled Old Testament scriptures regarding God, and was given titles only due God!
Jesus – God in the Flesh (His Deity)
1. On multiple occasions the Jews sought to stone Jesus. If Jesus were not God in the flesh, how could he have easily prevented them from doing so?
2. In your own words, what do you think worship means?
3. In a practical sense, how can we worship Jesus?
4. Which do you think best describes the nature of Jesus?
a. On earth he was all man and part God
b. On earth he laid aside his divine nature
c. On earth he was all man and all God
d. On earth he was all God and part man
5. What are some consequences if Jesus was not God?
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