The Divinity of Jesus (Part 1)

There is an article online (http://www.gotquestions.org/divinity-of-Christ.html), which claims to present ‘the strongest biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ’.  It is peppered with more than 30 New Testament verse references to support its argument.  One, Daniel 7:13-14, is given in support of Jesus humanity. None at all from the rest of the Old Testament.

The writer is claiming solid evidence that Jesus (Yeshua) is God.  He claims Jesus is ‘seen as’ God, and that ‘the Bible’ claims Jesus is divine (it stops short of stating that Jesus himself stated clearly that he was God).

Now think about a couple of things:

Jesus is called the ‘son of God’ but absolutely never called ‘God the son’. There is a big difference!

Adam is also called ‘the son of God’ in Luke 3:38. In fact, many others are called ‘sons (or children) of God’.  English translations choose to capitalize the ‘S’ for Yeshua to set it apart, but that’s not in the original texts.

And most importantly, think about this:

God describes Himself in the Old Testament as the only God.  He is very clear and consistent in this.  Worship is not to be given to any other besides Him; and He is on record that He will not share His glory with another.

So…if someone came along later and said what God actually meant was not what He clearly said…that something had changed, and now you SHOULD worship another alongside of, or as well as God…what should your response be?

At the very least, shouldn’t you be very sure that you ARE understanding God’s commandment clearly?  Did God really mean exactly what He said in the Old Testament?  Did God really say…? (Genesis 3:1)

Is it wise to put your faith in what the New Testament might seem to say (with a little manipulation or wiggle room allowed) or what your church teaches?  Shouldn’t you be VERY sure that GOD allows this?  After all, it isn’t God telling humankind that the rules have changed.  And if you read the whole of the New Testament carefully and in context, it really isn’t anyone there stating this clearly either.  The only place you’ll find this teaching made crystal clear (that Jesus is divine, or part of, or even replacing God) is the church.

So who should you trust about this?  Your church’s doctrine? Should you just go with what Paul or John is said to have meant? Should you believe Jesus, who never actually says ‘I am God, worship me’?  Or should you pay attention to God, who is pretty clear and consistent that He alone is God? 

It’s something to think about.