Who Is Jesus? Deity (Part 2 Of 4) Series

I. Introduction:

Good morning. We know that today we living under the New Covenant, but there is the same message that God is trying to teach us in both the New and the Old Covenants. Speaking of the new and old, last week we began a series on Christology, the study of Christ, we examined that Jesus was 100% man just like you and I. Today we will examine His presence in the Old Testament, and His reference to Himself during the Old Testament. The point of this short message today is to shown Jesus’ deity and that He was in fact God.

Let us pray.

II. Body:

The use of the term “deity” is significant. A question may arise as to why its employ in preference to the word “divinity.” The term “deity” indicates that Jesus Christ alone, in solitary dignity and lovely grandeur, the phenomenon of the ages, is indeed God in the flesh. While the word “divinity” carries with it the sense of the divine, it appears that some theologians use this term in a much lighter sense than the Church fathers understood it when applied to the Person of Jesus Christ. The word “divinity” should be used to express the fact that, in this instance, Jesus has the qualities of being divine, whereas the term “deity” identifies the state of being God as to His very nature. Therefore we opt for the word “deity” when speaking of Jesus Christ.

*Eternal existence is ascribed to Jesus Christ. Today the basic thing we are going to look at is Eternal Existence is Ascribed to Jesus Christ, both in the ld Testament and in the New.

In the Theophanies (a term simply used for the “appearance of God), perhaps more accurately the Christophanies (a term simply used for the “appearance of Christ), one finds the manifestations of Deity. From various Scriptures there were times when God appeared before human beings in the form of an angel, while at other times in the form of a man. In each instance, however, regardless of the form taken, the idea of a Presence overshadowed the mere idea of the appearance. Note the following:

He appeared to Abraham. [Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 22:11-12]

“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ So he said, ‘Here I am.” 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.” – Genesis 22:11-12.

He appeared to Jacob. [Genesis 31:11-13; 32:24-32; 35:9-15; compare with Genesis 48:15-16]

Then nthe Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for oI have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, pwhere you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ” (Genesis 31:11-3)

He appeared to Moses. [Exodus 3:1-14] In the form of the burning bush.

He appeared to Joshua. [Joshua 5:13-15]

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

He appeared to Gideon. [Judges 6]

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

He appeared to Manoah and his wife. [Judges 13]

[See also Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 5:2]

[b] The New Testament: Jesus also appeared in the New Testament, believe it or not! 

Jesus Christ Himself makes a number of references to His pre-existence, and existence before

His incarnation or birth to the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is not a Man who became God. He is

God who became Man. Note the following Scriptures:

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Manwho is in heaven.” [John 3:13]

“He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of theearth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [John 3:31-36]