Is Jesus God?

Does Jesus God? IS A Look at Jesus and Miracles

JesusIS God? Who is Jesus Christ? © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The New Testament, the Koran, and Jesus • Jesus was born of a virgin (sura 3:47, 19:27-28) • Jesus is proclaimed to be the Christ/Messiah (sura 3:45) • Jesus is confirmed to be righteous (sura 6:85) • Jesus was sinless (sura 3:46) • Jesus performed miracles (sura 3:49) • Jesus had disciples (sura 3:52-53, 5:111-118) • Jesus was sent with a gospel (sura 5:46) • Jesus‘ words should be believed (sura 4:171) • Jesus was taken into Heaven by God (sura 4:156-159) • Jesus will have a second and visible coming to the earth (sura 3:55) As an aside, Muhammad has none of these attributes ascribed to him © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The New Testament, the Koran, and Jesus • Jesus was created out of dust (sura 3:59) • Jesus was not crucified on a cross (sura 4:157) • Jesus did not die (sura 4:156-159) • Jesus was not resurrected (implied from prior point) • Jesus prophesied the coming of Muhammad (sura 61:6) • Jesus was just one of the prophets (sura 2:136, 5:75) • Jesus should not be worshipped (sura 5:116) • Jesus was not the Son of God (sura 19:35, 4:171) • Jesus will return, die, and be judged like all other men (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310) Logically the Jesus of the Bible and Koran cannot both be true © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The Christ of the Jehovah‘s Witnesses: • Jesus is a ―mighty god‖ but not God Almighty. • Jesus is the first and direct creation of God. • Jesus made ―all other things‖ for God. • Jesus was/is the chief angel, Michael. • Jesus was raised a spirit creature, not bodily. • Jesus invisibly returned to the earth in 1914 and expelled Satan. The silver lining running through all non-Christian Faiths – Jesus is not God. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?What path will we follow? Historical Tests Is the New Testament Historically Reliable? Legal Tests Archaeology Prophecy Miracles Is Jesus Who He Claimed to Be (God)? Testimony Resurrection Did Jesus Claim the Bible is Inerrant and Inspired? Then Christianity is True and Anything Opposed to it is False. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Our first step into the supernatural nature of the Bible • Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates the omniscience of God • Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates that the Bible is a supernatural Book • Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates that Jesus is the Messiah and God • Fulfilled prophecy gives Christians confidence in the future predictions that the Bible makes © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Prophecies concerning the Christ 300 total prophecies that concern the Messiah‘s first coming 108 distinct prophecies that concern the Messiah‘s first coming All fulfilled in the life of Jesus of Nazareth © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? What are the odds? Peter Stoner in Science Speaks calculates the odds of just eight prophecies being accidently fulfilled in the life of one man. 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one hundred quadrillion: 1017) Statisticians say anything past 1 to 1050 power is no chance. This is exceeded once 20 fulfilled prophecies is considered (and Jesus fulfilled 108). Are these prophecies something anyone could fulfill? Let‘s see… © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The Timing of Jesus‘ Birth and Death “So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” - Daniel 9:25-26, 500 B.C.Clock began in 445 B.C. with Artaxerxes allowing Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem. Sabbatical Years 449 442 435 428 14 21 28 35 70 1 2 3 67 68 69 BC AD © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Birth “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” - Micah 5:2, 700 B.C. “olam” Joseph also went up … to Before the mountains were born or Bethlehem … While they You gave birth to the earth and the were there, the days were world, Even from everlasting to completed for her to give everlasting, You are God. - Psalm 90:2 birth. - Luke 2:4-6 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Birth “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14, 600-700 B.C. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ” - Isaiah 9:6, 600-700 B.C. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 1:18 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Miracles “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.” – Isaiah 35:5-6, 500 B.C. “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?‟ Jesus answered and said to them, Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.‟” – Matthew 11:3-5. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Betrayal “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” – Psalm 41:9, 900 B.C. “Then the Lord said to me, Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them. So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.” – Zechariah 11:13, 500 B.C. “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, „What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?‟ And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. ” – Matthew 27:14-15 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Death “They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.” – Psalm 22:16, 900 B.C. “…they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son…” – Zechariah 12:10, 500 B.C. “And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.” – Matthew 27:35 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus‘ Resurrection “For you will not leave my soul in Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to see decay.” – Psalm 16:10, 900 B.C. “Jesus answered them, „Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.‟” – John 2:19 “The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.„” – Matthew 28:5-6 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Other Key Messianic Prophecies • The Messiah would come through the line of Abraham, Judah, and David (Genesis 12:2, Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:12-16) • The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger (Malachi 3:1). • The Messiah would come to his people mounted on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). • The Messiah would remain silent/suffer at the hands of men (Isaiah 53). • The Messiah would be disfigured at the hands of men (Isaiah 52). • The Messiah would have no bone broken (Psalm 34:20). • The Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9). • The Messiah would ascend to Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Luke 24:50-53) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Other Prophetic Points of Interest • Prophecy takes up 1/5 of the Scripture • Of that 1/5, 1/3 refers to the 2nd coming of Christ • There are over 660 general prophecies • There are 224 prophecies about His second coming • Of the 46 OT prophets, less than 10 of them speak of His first coming, but 36 speak of His second coming • There are 1500 passages in Old Testament that refer to 2nd coming • 1 out 25 verses in NT refer to 2nd coming • For every time the Bible mentions His first coming, it mentions His 2nd coming 8 times • For each time the Atonement is mentioned once, the 2nd coming is mentioned twice • Jesus refers to His 2nd coming 21 times • Over 50 times He tells Christians to get ready for His 2nd coming © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The conclusions of Messianic Prophecy • The Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would come and made numerous claims about Him • The Messiah would be God Himself • Jesus fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy • The odds of such fulfillment are zero chance • The supernatural nature of the Bible is confirmed © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The Testimony of Miracles Six categories of unusual occurrences: 1. Anomalies – natural, but unusual event 2. Magic – sleight of hand; not truly unusual 3. Psychosomatic – mind over matter 4. Satanic – evil in nature; mimics God at times 5. Providence – divine in nature, but naturally explained 6. Miracle – divine and supernatural in nature © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The Testimony of Miracles What is a miracle? A miracle is an act of God sent through a prophet of God to the people of God to confirm a message from God. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? When did God use Miracles? Have miracles been a regular occurrence? There have only been three core periods in history: I. Mosaic period (time of the Exodus) II. Prophetic period (Elijah, Daniel) III. Apostolic period (Christ, the apostles) IV. Apocalyptic period (coming…Revelation) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The Testimony of Miracles Why did God use Miracles? I. Mosaic period – confirm message to Pharaoh and Israel; instill faith in Israel II. Prophetic period – confirm message/truth of God to propagators of false religions (Baal, other pagan gods) III. Apostolic period – confirm message of Christ and apostles to pluralistic religious culture IV. Apocalyptic period – confirm message of judgment to world © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony/proof of Jesus‘ miracles: Luke 7:19, 22 – ―Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, ‗Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?‘ At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. And He answered and said to them, ‗Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.‘‖ John 10:25 – ―The miracles I do in my Father‘s name speak for Me.‖ © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony/proof of Jesus‘ miracles: Acts 2:22 – ―Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—‖ Hebrews 2:3-4 – ―For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.‖ © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Partial list of Jesus‘ miracles• Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)• Healing a noblemans son at Cana (John 4:46-54)• Healing a lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9)• Healing Peter‘s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15)• Cleansing a leper (Matthew 8:2-4)• Healing a paralytic (Matthew 9:2-8)• Stilling a storm (Matthew 8:18)• Raising Jairus‘ daughter (Matthew 9:18-19)• Healing two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31)• Feeding 5,000 (Matthew 14:14-21)• Raising Lazarus (John 11:17-44) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Objections to miracles David Hume – Scottish skeptic • A miracle is by definition a rare event • The evidence for the regular is always greater than that for the rare • A wise man apportions his beliefs toward that which has greater evidence • Therefore, a wise man does not believe in miracles © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Objections to miracles Benedict Spinoza • A miracle is a violation of an immutable law • Natural laws are immutable • It is impossible to violate immutable laws • Therefore, miracles are impossible © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Other religions have miracles • Islam – Mohammad asked to do miracle – refused. Miracles added later outside of Koran in Hadiths to challenge apologetic value of miracles in Christianity • Hinduism – already proven untrue • Buddhism – already proven untrue • Cults – usually invoke a theistic God in some form © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Does the New Testament Claim that Jesus is God? 1. Jesus‘ own words. 2. Jesus‘ actions. 3. Jesus‘ miracles. 4. The testimony of the New Testament Writers. 5. Jesus resurrection Since the New Testament documents are historically reliable, if they record that Jesus thought He was God, if He acted like He was God, if He proved Himself as God through miracles, fulfilled prophecy, and came back from the dead, and if those who knew Him best testified that He is God, then He must be God. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Did Jesus think He was God? Look at how Jesus compared Himself to God in the Old Testament: God in the Old Testament Jesus Comparison to Himself I AM (Exodus 3:14-15; Isaiah 48:12) I AM (John 8:58; John 8:18, 24) The Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) The Shepherd (John 10:11) The Light (Psalm 27:1) The Light (John 8:12) Ruler of all (Isaiah 9:6) Ruler of all (Matthew 28:18) Judge of all nations (Joel 3:12) Judge of all (John 5:12) The Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:16) The Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1) God‟s Word never pass away (Isaiah 40:8) Jesus‟ words never pass away (Mk. 13:31) First and the Last (Isaiah 48:12) First and the Last (Revelation 1:17-18) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Did Jesus think He was God? In 20 of Jesus‘ 52 parables, He identifies Himself as God. Some examples: God in the Old Testament Jesus Comparison to Himself The Sower (Jeremiah 31:27; Ezra 34:9) The Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) The Shepherd (Gen 49:24; Psalm 23:1) The Shepherd (John 10:11) The Rock (Psalm 18:2) The Rock (Matthew 7:24) The Bridegroom (Isaiah 54:5, Hosea 2:16) The Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Did Jesus think He was God? Other statements made by Christ concerning His deity: • ―Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father‖, John 14:9 • ―I and the Father are one‖, John 10:30 • ―Father glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began‖, John 17:5. ―I am the Lord that is My name! I will not give My glory to another‖, Isaiah 42:8 • ―My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too, am working.‖, John 5:17 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Did Jesus think He was God? Other statements made by Christ concerning His deity: ―And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven‖, Mark 14:61 (c.f. Daniel 7:13-14) Daniel 7:13 (NASB95) “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven (Ex 14:20, 34:5, Num 10:34, Psalm 104:3, Isaiah 19:1) One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.” – Daniel 7:13 “The Lord says to my Lord, „Sit at my right hand…” – Psalm 110:1 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Did Jesus act like He was God? Consider Jesus‘ actions: • Jesus accepted worship nine times in the gospels. • Jesus forgave sins (Mark 2). • Jesus said to pray in His name (John 16:23-24). • Jesus never said ―Thus says the Lord‖, but rather ―I say‖. • Jesus said to baptize in His name (Matthew 28). Jesus clearly thought He was God and acted like it. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony of the New Testament writers: Witness Verse StatementJohn John 1:1-3,14 God became fleshThomas John 20:28 “My Lord and my God!”Paul Romans 9:5 Jesus is God over allPaul Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus set aside His right as GodPaul Colossians 1:16-19, 2:9-10 Created all things including angels; all fullness of Deity dwellsPaul 1 Timothy 6:15, Deut 10:17 King of kings, Lord of LordsPeter 2 Peter 1:1 Jesus our God and SaviorWriter of Hebrews Hebrews 1:8, 13:8 Has everlasting throne and is immutable © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony of Paul: ―Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.‖ Philippians 2:9-11 ―By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear.‖, Isaiah 45:23 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony of Paul: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD (YAHWEH) WILL BE SAVED. (JOEL 2:3)” – ROMANS 10:9-13. Same Greek word – Kyrios – is used. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?The testimony of external sources: Exorcism formula from the Greek Magical Papyrus: ―I conjure you by the God of the Hebrews, Jesus … who appears in fire, who is in the midst of land, snow, and fog…‖ (lines 3007-3041) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Extra-Biblical TestimonyPliny the Younger: Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor, A.D.111-113 Records account of Christians: ―They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang an anthem to Christ as God, and bound themselves by a solemn oath not to commit any wicked deed…‖ – Letters, series 10. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Archaeological Evidence The earliest church building (currently) found is in Megiddo and dated to the early third century. The prayer hall contains various mosaics and inscriptions with the one above reading: ―Akeptous (a woman), the God-loving, offered this table for (the) God Jesus Christ, as a remembrance‖. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Jesus in the Book of Revelation • The First and the Last, who was dead and am now is alive (1:17, 2:8). God says He is the First and Last in Isaiah 41:4 • The Alpha and Omega (22:13). God is called the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1:8 and 21:6. • The King of kings and the Lord of lords (17:14, 19:16). © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Christ‘s Resurrection Who raised Jesus from the Dead? ―You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.‖, Acts 3:15 ―Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.‖, John 2:19 © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Did Jesus really die? Aristotle asked the question (hundreds of years before Christ came), what would happen if a man arose that lived such a perfect life that people thought he was a god…? The conclusion: He would have to be killed because the perfection that shown from his life would expose the bankruptcy in the lives of everyone around him. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Did Jesus really die? • The nature of the wounds brought about death (scourging, crucifixion, spear) • Witnessed by close friends • Roman executioners acknowledged death • Confirmed by Pilate • Wrapped in 75 pounds of grave clothes • Sealed in tomb for three days • Non-Christian historians recorded death © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Was Jesus really buried in the tomb? • Burial recorded in all gospels • Joseph of Arimathea petitioned Pilate for body • Joseph put Jesus in his own tomb • Burial witnessed by close friends • Tomb guarded by soldiers • Jews never denied that Jesus was dead and buried © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? In three days, did Jesus‘ body go missing from the tomb? • Empty tomb viewed by Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Peter and John • Jewish leaders devised lie to cover up the resurrection; never refuted claim that the body was gone • Non-Christian historians record Christian‘s claims of Jesus being alive © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Did Jesus appear to anyone after His death? • Appeared to Mary Magdalene; Gospel writers would not make up women being the first witnesses • Appeared to disciples; was touched; demonstrated He was no spirit (ate food, etc.) • Appeared to his brother James • Appeared to 500 witnesses (recorded by Paul) • Total of 12 appearances recorded in Scripture © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Other evidence to consider: • Disciples changed from cowards to martyrs • James and Paul converted by the risen Christ • Enemies could not produce the body • Major focus on apostle‘s teaching © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

Maybe.. JesusIS God?Did Jesus truly come back from the dead? Other possible explanations for the resurrection • Authorities moved the body – no motive for that • Spiritual resurrection only – the tomb was empty and He did physical things • Mistaken identity – the tomb was empty, skeptics were converted • Swoon theory – Jesus did not survive the scourging and cross • Hallucination theory – mass hallucination not possible • Wrong tomb – just go to the right tomb and produce the body • Disciples stole the body – no one dies for a lie they know to be false • Legend/myth – too early; no myth ever entered into history where 2 generations had not passed. Gospels written with eyewitnesses © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Christ‘s Resurrection was a Miracle in one of Three Ways: 1. Psychological: The disciples and others imagined a risen Christ, changed from unbelieving cowards into courageous evangelists, and went to their deaths for something they ultimately knew to be untrue. 2. Biological: Jesus survived the beatings, scourging, cross, and spear thrust into the heart, fooled his executioners, recuperated in the tomb, rolled away the stone, and had his „resurrection‟ falsely proclaimed. 3. Theological: Christ‟s resurrection was a true, historically valid, and divine miracle where Jesus died and came back to life three days later, which is in keeping with the theme of miracles in the gospels. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Answering the Top Objections to Christ‘s Deity: 1. Colossians 1:15 says Jesus is the ―firstborn‖ of all creation and Revelation 3:14 says the Jesus is the ―Beginning of the creation of God.‖ 2. John 14:28 has Jesus saying, ―The Father is greater than I‖. 3. Luke 18:19 states Jesus as saying, ―Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.‖ 4. Matthew 24:36 says, ―But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the Son, but the Father alone. In brief, the arguments are that Jesus is the first creation of God and less than God. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Answering the Top Objections to Christ‘s Deity: 1. Colossians 1:15 says Jesus is the ―firstborn‖ of all creation and Revelation 3:14 says the Jesus is the ―Beginning of the creation of God.‖ ―firstborn‖ signifies preeminence. For example, David is called the firstborn of Jesse (Psalm 89:27) even though he was not the ―first born‖ in the family. ―Beginning‖ comes from the Greek word arche, which is where the word ―architect‖ comes from. Jesus is the ruler/architect of all creation. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Answering the Top Objections to Christ‘s Deity: 2. John 14:28 has Jesus saying, ―The Father is greater than I‖ Christ is of the same essence and nature as God, but holds a different office/role in the Trinity. Philippians 2:7 describes how Jesus laid aside His godly form and chose to become a man during His incarnation. Ontological equality and functional hierarchy are two different things. Jesus holds a lesser office than the Father, but is equal to Him in nature. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Answering the Top Objections to Christ‘s Deity: 3. Luke 18:19 states Jesus as saying, ―Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.‖ Jesus is in essence asking the young rich ruler to examine his words. Either Jesus is good, and therefore God, or not good and not God. Jesus Himself said that He was good when he stated in John 10:11, ―I am the good shepherd‖. Christ is asking the man to think about what he is asking – in other words, ―Are you calling me God?‖ © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Answering the Top Objections to Christ‘s Deity: 4. ―… of that day and hour…‖ Paul makes it clear in Philippians 2 that Christ laid aside part of His deity to become a man on earth. For example, did Christ ever get tired? As God no, as man yes. Hungry? As God no, as man yes. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? The verdict on Christ being God: 1. Jesus‘ proclaimed Himself to be God. 2. Jesus proved Himself to be God through miracles, a sinless life, and fulfilled prophecy. 3. Jesus acted like God. 4. The New Testament writers testified that He was God. 5. Jesus came back from the dead to prove His claims. Since we can trust the historicity of the New Testament, the only conclusion to reach is that Jesus is God. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?What did Jesus (God) Teach about the Bible? 1. Divinely Authoritative – Jesus said ―It is written…‖ in Matthew 4 to rebuke the devil 2. Imperishable – Jesus said not the smallest stroke in Scripture would pass away (Matthew 5:18, 24:35) 3. Unbreakable – Jesus said the Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35) © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?What did Jesus (God) Teach about the Bible? 4. Ultimate Supremacy – Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting their tradition over Scripture (Matthew 15:3-4) 5. Inerrant – Jesus said the Bible is inerrant (without error) – John 17:17 6. Historically Accurate – Jesus cited Adam/Eve, Jonah and others as historical figures © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God?Conclusions to reach 1. If Jesus is God, then what He says is true. 2. Jesus said that the Bible is the Word of God; that it is inerrant, unbreakable, imperishable, divinely authoritative, has ultimate supremacy, and historically accurate. 3. Anything contrary to what Jesus says must be false. 4. Any religion that teaches doctrines contrary to the Bible is false. These conclusions naturally follow from the above points. © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Judaism Christianity Islam Of the remaining worldviews, only Christianity is left standing © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

JesusIS God? Another piece of life‘s puzzle is in place • We know right and wrong; how we should live. God, through His Word and through His Son, has expressed His ethical instructions for His creation © Confident Christians – www.confidentchristians.org

Does Jesus God? IS He is the Great I AM

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Is Jesus God?

by Robin Schumacher

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Is Jesus God? Presentation Transcript