WAS JESUS GOD?
1 Peter 3:15-16 NKJV
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
More and more, our faith is being tested by the culture we desperately want to embrace. As theological training and education is quickly being replaced by the opinions and attacks of a post-modern world-view, it is becoming more and more important to be ready with a Biblical answer. Moreover, our youth are unprepared for this ideological attack on our faith. So let’s prepare them with answers to the world’s most common arguments against our faith.
WAS JESUS REALLY GOD… OR JUST A REALLY GOOD TEACHER?
The question of whether Jesus is God is a central theological issue in Christianity today. But it is the answer that truly determines our faith.
ANSWER #1: JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE GOD AGAIN AND AGAIN
Jesus and His apostles validated His divinity through various statements and actions recorded in the New Testament:
Jesus' Self-Declarations
1. "I Am" statements: In John 8:58, Jesus declared, "Before Abraham was born, I am," echoing God's self-identification in Exodus 3:14[1].
2. Unity with God: Jesus stated, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30)[1].
3. Divine prerogatives: Jesus forgave sins, a prerogative belonging to God alone (Mark 2:5-7)[1].
Apostolic Affirmations
1. John's prologue: "The Word was God" and "the Word became flesh" (John 1:1, 1:14)[1].
2. Thomas' declaration: After the resurrection, Thomas addressed Jesus as "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)[1].
3. Paul's writings: He referred to Jesus as "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13) and described Him as existing in the "form of God" (Philippians 2:5-8)[2].
Actions Demonstrating His Divinity
1. Accepting worship: Jesus received worship from disciples and others (Matthew 14:33, 28:9)[1][2].
2. Performing miracles: Jesus demonstrated divine power over nature, life, and death (Matthew 8:23-27, John 11:43-44)[1].
3. Judging humanity: Jesus taught that He would ultimately judge all people (Matthew 25:31-46)[2].
These validations, through direct claims, apostolic testimonies, and divine actions, consistently portray Jesus as God incarnate throughout the New Testament.
Citations:
ANSWER #2: IF WE CAN’T TRUST THE GOSPELS ON JESUS’ CLAIM TO BE GOD, THEN NEITHER CAN WE TRUST THEM ON HIS TEACHINGS ON MORALITY.
Jesus' teachings on morality emphasized love, compassion, and righteous living. If He wasn’t God, then He was only a philosopher with humanistic beliefs. Without the assurance that these traits are the standard of behavior that God demands, one can simply choose not to follow them and live selfishly.
These key moral teachings include:
Love and Compassion
- Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)[2][5]
- Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Luke 6:27-28)[2]
- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12)[5]
Forgiveness and Non-Judgment
- Forgive others, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37)[2]
- Do not judge others harshly, lest you be judged harshly yourself[2]
Integrity and Righteousness
- Be honest, humble, authentic, and truthful[1]
- Avoid even the thought of sin, not just the act (Matthew 5:27-28)[2]
- Focus on God rather than earthly possessions (Matthew 6:19-21)[2]
Service and Compassion
- Treat the poor and outcasts as you would treat Jesus himself (Matthew 25:31-46)[2]
- Be kind and helpful to those in need[2]
Spiritual Discipline
- Practice "spiritual amputation" by removing anything that leads to sin (Matthew 5:29)[4]
- Renew your mind and put on the "new self" created in God's righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24)[4]
Jesus taught that true morality goes beyond outward actions to encompass inner attitudes and motivations. He emphasized the importance of love, forgiveness, and service to others as the foundation of ethical living. His life AS GOD demonstrates what God truly intended for man to be like.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ethicssymposium.org/framework-3-ethical-duties-from-the-life-and-teachings-of-jesus/
[6] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/christian-morality-jesus-teaching-on-the-law/
ANSWER #3: IF JESUS WASN’T GOD, HE COULDN’T HAVE SAID THE THINGS HE SAID AND STILL BE CONSIDERED A GOOD TEACHER.
In the end, because of his deeds and teaching, Jesus was the best of GOOD men… but because He encouraged us to be like Him, He needed to be perfect in every way. To lie to us about His authority would make Him no better than a manipulative egomaniac (which He wasn’t). Why believe anything He said, if He lied about being God?
In addition, to believe that our sins are forgiven, we must believe that a spotless lamb/man, had to suffer and pay that price for our sins. Since no man is without sin and is unworthy to earn our redemption, we must accept that Jesus was without sin or blemish and was the spotless lamb who died for all mankind’s sins..
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