Note: The Bible by Jesus will be used throughout this lesson unless otherwise noted after each Bible reference.
A. SIX CLAIMS AGAINST MY DEITY
1. They claimed I was just an ordinary man, not God. “Is He not the carpenter’s son? Where did He get all this knowledge? And they were offended because of Me” (Matt. 13:55-57).
2. They said I made mistakes. “Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man they planned to accuse him” (Luke 6:7, NLT).
3. They said I tricked (perverted) the people. Pilate said, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people” (Luke 22:14, RSV).
4. They said I was an imposter. The Jews demanded, “By our law he ought to die because He called himself the Son of God” (John 19:7, NLT).
5. They said I was not virgin born, the Jews said sarcastically. “We were not born out of wedlock suggesting I didn’t have a father.” But an angel said to Joseph, “Mary . . . has conceived a son through the Holy Spirit . . . Joseph had no physical relations with her until she had given birth to Me” (Matt. 1:23-25).
6. They said I had sinned. “We know this man is a sinner” (John 9:24, NLT). Jesus answered, “None of you can point out any sin that I have ever done” (John 8:46). Pilate said, “I find Him not guilty” (John 19:6, NLT). “Christ who never sinned” (2 Cor. 5:21, NLT). “He never sinned” (1 Peter 2:21, NLT).
B. SEVEN CLAIMS OF DEITY BY JESUS
1. I Am Creator. “I Am God, and without Me nothing was created” (John 1:1-2). “I have all life in Myself and give life to all My creation” (John 1:4).
2. I know what people think. “But I did not entrust Myself to them because I know what was in their hearts” (John 2:25). I knew their thoughts” (Mark 2:8).
3. I am eternal. Eternal means without beginning and without end. “I am God the Son, who is from the beginning” (John 1:1). “I am eternal life who was manifest to you” (1 John 1:1).
4. I am sinless. “None of you can point out any sin that I have ever done” (John 8:46).
5. I came back from the dead. Jesus predicted, “I told My disciples that I must go to Jerusalem . . . be killed . . . but I would rise from the dead on the third day” (Matt. 16:21). Jesus taught His disciples, “The scriptures say that Christ would suffer for sins, and rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:46).
6. I am equal with the Father in nature, power and authority. The Trinity means Jesus is equal in nature with the Father, but separate in person, and submission in duties.
a. Nature. “The Jewish leaders sought to kill Me because I said I was just like the Father . . . and I said, ‘The Father and Son are equal in nature’” (John 5:7-18).
b. Power. “I say to you, I do nothing by Myself. But when I see the things God the Father does, I do the same things. God the Father and God the Son are equal in power” (John 5:19).
c. Authority. “The Father will do greater miracles through healing the lame, so you will marvel. As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, so I the Son of God will also raise the dead. The Father and Son are equal in authority” (John 5:20-21).
7. I am law, power and life (all three and interactive).
a. Life. Law is an extension of the person and energy of God and is the power by which He controls His universe. “I made all things that can be seen and things that can’t be seen . . . I created everything for Me and through Me . . . and I hold all things together” (Col. 1:16-17).
b. Power is the omnipotence of God, I can do all things actual and possible. “I made all things possible” (Matt. 19:26). “I hold all things together by the word of My power” (Heb. 1:3).
c. Life is existence, energy and force or function. “The Father has life in Himself, and I also have it, and give it to those who believe in Me” (John 5:24). The words I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).
C. I HAVE THE ABSOLUTE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
1. HOLINESS. “I the Lord your God, Am holy” (Lev. 19:2). Holiness is My perfection seen in My moral nature. I did not decide to be holy, and can’t decide to not be holy. Holiness is My nature.
2. LOVE. Love is My perfection seen in giving Myself. Love is giving (John 15:13). “Here is love, not that you love God, but the Father sends Me His only begotten Son to give Myself to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for your sin” (1 John 4:10).
3. GOODNESS. Goodness is My nature that dispenses unlimited grace, mercy, kindness and longsuffering. “I Am the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep” (John 10:11). “My good pleasure” (Eph. 1:5).
D. I HAVE THE COMPARATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
1. OMNISCIENCE. I possess perfect knowledge of all things past, present and future, and everything possible. “I call those things that are not as though they were” (Rom. 4:18).
a. I did not have to begin anything. “Who taught Me knowledge” (Isa. 40:14).
b. I know all things equally well. “All things are naked and exposed to My eyes” (Heb. 4:13).
c. I have never forgotten anything. “My understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5).
2. OMNIPRESENCE. I am everywhere present at the same time.
a. I am immense, meaning as big as space.
b. I am transcendent, meaning I created the world but am above and beyond it.
c. I am unlimited beyond space. Space is the distance between objects. When no objects – outer space.
d. I manifest Myself in some places more than others. My physical presence is at the right hand of God the Father, My omnipresence is everywhere.
3. OMNIPOTENCE. I can do anything and everything in harmony with My nature, but I can’t do things contrary to My nature.
a. I can’t sin . . . or create a being greater than I Am . . . or make yesterday not happen . . . create a square box that is round.
b. I did impossible things (raise the dead) I also did an improbable thing (walk on water).
c. I have comprehensive power. I didn’t require effort or exertion.
d. My power was discernable. “But if I with the finger of God cast out demons, then realize that kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:20).
e. My power holds the planets and atoms together. “I hold all things together” (Heb. 1:3, Col. 1:17).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com.
