Christ's Deity And Divine Nature Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Jesus Christ Is God

2. Jesus Christ Is Lord

3. Jesus Christ Is Savior

Introductory Remarks.

1. During our research and development on the lesson on being “partakers of the divine nature of Christ,” as described in 2 Peter 1:3-4, a great truth emerged. And that was that many religious scholars deny or reject the deity and divinity of Jesus Christ as God, Lord, and Savior. If one is to be saved, they must acquire faith in Christ, confess that He is the Son of God, and be obedient to the faith, as the first-century believers, that they might be saved, Acts 6:7; Acts 8:12. In this dissertation,

2. First, we will discuss Jesus Christ as being God, as foretold by the scriptures. The apostle John declared Him to be so: “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God,” John 1:1-3. Jesus declared Himself to be the Son of God, making Himself equal with God,” John 5:18; John 10:30. Thomas called Him: “My Lord, and My God,” John 20:28. Finally, Angels from heaven announced Him as Savior to Mary before her conception and Joseph after it, and to the shepherds keeping watch over their sheep at His birth,” Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:30-35; Luke 2:8-11.

3. Second, we will describe the truth of Jesus Christ being declared the Lord by many passages of Scripture in the Old and New Testaments. Thomas, the doubter of His resurrection in his moment of revelation, declared Jesus to be: “My Lord, and My God,” John 20:28. Much of the disagreement among many regarding the “Mystery of Godliness” stems from either mis- or disinformation by religious authors and scholars. Textual Criticism over the past 100 years has emerged due to the uncovering and discovery of more information regarding the authenticity of the New Testament. This, in itself, has enabled men and women to better “understand and rightly divide the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15. Those still left behind are many who will not “study for themselves” the sacred scriptures as those “still hungering and thirsting for righteousness,” Matthew 5:6.

4. Lastly, we will examine the Old Testament’s promise and the New Testament’s revelation of Jesus Christ being the Savior of all humanity. It was to this end He was conceived, born into this world, suffered and died on Calvary’s tree, and “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead,” Romans 1:1-7. [Text shortened for brevity.] John the Baptist said it best: “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29. Perhaps a closer translation would be: “To take upon Himself, the sins of the whole world.” What the Law could not do, through the “offering of the blood of bulls and goats,” He did by the shedding and offering of His precious blood “for the remission of sins,” Matthew 26:26-28. Thereby, becoming the author of eternal salvation (the Savior) unto all them that obey Him,” Hebrews 5:6-9. With this brief introduction, let us get right into the dissertation!

BODY OF DISSERTATION

I JESUS CHRIST IS GOD

A. Definition. We sought the definition of God from several sources. Beginning with recognized Lexicons, bible dictionaries, and commentators. We will examine prophetic statements about God in the Old Testament that are fulfilled in the New Testament. One must readily admit that today there are many more resources available than when many of these doctrinal views were first advanced by religious authors and scholars. We make no apology for the truth, I say, as the beloved apostle Paul did: “Let God be true and every man a liar,” Romans 3:4. Jesus was,

1. The God with us, or “meta hemon ho theos,” during His ministry on earth, Matthew 1:23; John 1:13. The first step in discussing all three divine attributes will be to observe their definitions and uses in a Lexical Form. By this, I mean how the Name, noun, or attributes are listed in several recognized Lexicons. Is the definite article listed or not, along with it? Thus, making the Name or Noun definite. Therefore, if definite, is it in the Nominative Case? [The article “o,” |ho or “the”] places any Name or Noun in the Nominative Case having the case ending of: “os” or “s.” This will be our “fruit test” in defining these names or nouns, i.e., God, Lord, and Savior, in this dissertation. If you are not yet familiar with these terms and definitions, do not be alarmed; we will bring you up to date as you continue to hear, read, and study the content of this dissertation.

2. Nominative Case. Recall, the Nominal case indicates the subject of a sentence and other words that describe the subject, such as a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. It is also used to modify adjectives and participles, which in turn modify the sentence's subject.