April 2009
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Intimacy with God

April 11, 2009

Intimacy with God is a hard thing to attain. The word “intimacy” carries with it the aspects of a relationship with someone where you are vulnerable, loving, trusting, etc. To have an intimate relationship with God means that the deepest part of you is having a relationship with a deep part of God. Of course, we cannot fathom the deepest part of God, but He condescends to our level and reveals a part of Himself that only the Christian (through the cross of Christ) can enjoy. In addition, n heaven, this intimacy will not be hindered by sin.

The model of true intimacy is the Trinity. God is a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, our intimacy with God (and with each other) is ultimately a reflection of Gods intimacy within the members of the Godhead. This means that intimacy is an essential part of the very nature of God and because we are made in His image, it is natural to us as well. This is why we are capable of intimacy with others and with God. It is in our nature.

Our intimacy with God first began in the Garden of Adam and Eve when God walked with man (Gen. 2 3). It was something that God desired. As we know, Adam sinned and the intimacy with God was lost. But, God had a plan and He covered Adam and Eve with animal skins and shedding blood in the process (typifying the sacrifice of Christ in the future) so that the fellowship with mankind could be restored. This was realized at the cross where Jesus became sin on our behalf (2 Cor. 5:17) and bore our sins in His body (1 Pet. 2:24). Therefore, we are able to come to God through Jesus our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).

Since Jesus is God in flesh, our mediator, this means that the intimacy we have with God is with Christ. In fact, we are “called into fellowship with His Son, Christ Jesus” in 1 Cor. 1:9. The word “fellowship” in the Greek is “koinonia” which is translated in the KJV as “communion” in 1 Cor. 11 in reference to the communion supper. It is interesting that communion is the place where we accept the ultimate vulnerability of God in Christ who humbled Himself by becoming susceptible to death. In this, I think, is a clue to true intimacy with God: humility. As Christ was humble to the point of death, so we too must be humble to the point of death; that is, death to ourselves, our selfish desires, our personal wants. When compared to God, our purpose should not be to see what we can get from Him. It should be to glorify Him and to love Him. Pride seeks its own. Humility seeks others. Isn’t that what intimacy is, the seeking of another in the deepest sense? How can we do this if we are proud?

Intimacy with God is a privilege freely given to us by Christ in His sacrifice on the cross. He removed our sins so that we might dwell with God. Therefore, if there is sin in your life it will hinder your fellowship, your intimacy with God. Ask Jesus to reveal your sins to you so that you might repent of them and not hinder the fellowship of intimacy that God so lovingly desires with you.

Posted by lightyourlife at 2:13 pm | permalink | Add comment

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very heart of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 15 St. Paul reasoned, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . .We are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” In that same chapter he says “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen sleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” But then Paul triumphantly declares, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:14-20).

The First Easter

What do we mean by the resurrection of Christ? Jesus Christ came into this world to die as our substitute for our sins. The sinless Son of God came to give his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). On that first Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. We know he died because one of the Roman soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear to ensure his death. Some of his disciples then buried his body in a new tomb (John 19:30-42).

While Jesus was alive, he had predicted that he would rise from the dead. He challenged his enemies: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” He was speaking about his body (John 2:19-22). Jesus also told his disciples many times that he would be killed by the leaders in Jerusalem, but be raised to life on the third day. The leaders who killed Jesus were aware of this prediction that he would rise from the dead. Although they did not believe it, they wanted to ensure that it would not happen, so they set a guard around the tomb. In Matthew 27:62-66 we read, “The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive, that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again.” So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body, and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.’ ‘Take a guard,’ Pilate answered. ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”

Did the strategy of the chief priests and Pharisees succeed? No! Despite their efforts, Jesus rose from the dead. Remember how Jesus had said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life”? During his ministry on earth, Jesus brought a number of people to life from the dead, including Martha’s brother Lazarus, who had been dead for four days (John 11). But the resurrection of Jesus Christ was different. It was not just resuscitation, as was the case with Lazarus, who later died again. On the third day Jesus was raised from the dead with a transformed body that was clothed with immortality and glory. His resurrection body could appear and disappear, go through material objects, and ascend to and descend from heaven.

On Easter morning some women and apostles went to Jesus’ tomb, expecting to find his body. But the tomb was empty, and the angel at the tomb told them, “He is not here; he has risen!” Later they saw their risen Lord face to face. The gospels record these events, but the earliest written report concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ was written by St. Paul within twenty-five years of Christ’s death in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” Later St. Luke the historian wrote in his introduction to the book of Acts, “After [Jesus’] suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

Because of the miracle of Christ’s resurrection, Jesus’ depressed and disappointed disciples were instantly transformed. They began to preach the gospel with power, and the resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of their preaching. Why? Without the resurrection, there is no Christianity. These disciples of Jesus willingly suffered martyrdom for their faith. The enemies of the gospel were totally unable to refute this central claim of the gospel. They could not produce the body of Jesus Christ and put a stop to Christianity. The Jewish believers, meanwhile, were so impressed by this miracle that they began to worship on the day of Christ’s resurrection, Sunday, rather than on Saturday, as their custom had been.

Unbelief and the Resurrection of Christ

Many people do not believe in the resurrection. Even in New Testament times we find those who refused to believe in the resurrection. The Sadducees were materialists who did not believe in resurrection as the Pharisees did. Even in the church, some people did not believe in the resurrection. St. Paul wrote concerning this in 1 Corinthians 15. In 2 Timothy 2:17-18 Hymenaeus and Philetus were mentioned by Paul as people who did not really believe in the resurrection of the body.

Therefore, unbelief in the resurrection is not a recent idea, but especially beginning in the latter part of the seventeenth century, some in the church began to question putting faith in miracles, particularly in the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ. In England deists like John Toland refused to believe in the resurrection. Rationalists like H. S. Reimarus refused to believe in miracles, and questioned the authority of the Bible and the church. The theologian David Strauss systematically denied any miracles in his work, Life of Jesus, and in the twentieth century Karl Barth, along with Rudolf Bultmann, also denied the resurrection of the body. Today most liberal churches deny the resurrection as well as any miracle as recorded in the New Testament.

Such people deny the resurrection. They do not say it is not historical, or it is not recorded in the text of the New Testament. They deny it simply out of unbelief. They reason that normally the dead do not rise, and therefore Jesus could not rise from the dead. In spite of all textual and historical evidence, such people refuse to believe in the resurrection because they trust in the ultimate authority of fallen human reason rather than in God’s Holy Scriptures.

Although they may be members of churches, such people are really pagans who are without hope. St. Paul speaks about them in 1 Thessalonians 4:13: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope.” They are “without hope and without God in the world,” Paul says in Ephesians 2:12. They will not believe the New Testament, which declares the resurrection of Christ with great clarity.

How Does the Resurrection Affect Us?

If we believe in the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament, what significance does the resurrection have for us?

In the resurrection of Jesus Christ we see the clear demonstration of the power of the true God. Ephesians 1:19-21 tells us that it is the power of our heavenly Father that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
The resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is God. That is exactly what God the Father wanted to communicate to us, as we read in Romans 1:4. The Jews crucified Jesus Christ because, to them, he was blaspheming when he said that he was the Son of God, equal to the Father. The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates the truth that he is who he said he was.
Our salvation depends on our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:9, we are told how to be saved. It says that “if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This means that you cannot be a Christian unless you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This should tell us that even if some people are in churches, if they reject the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are not Christians.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates to us that all the teachings of Jesus Christ are true. Everything Jesus taught was true, including his great promise in John 6:40, “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” Jesus’ teachings concerning his person, his work, heaven, hell, and the future judgment are all true.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ secured our justification. “Christ died for our sins and he was raised for our justification,” Paul says in Romans 4:25.
Our own resurrection depends completely on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” There are a number of other verses concerning this, including 2 Corinthians 4:14, and others.
The power for our Christian life in the present is the power of his resurrection. We read about this in Ephesians 1:19-21, as well as in Romans 6:4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” People ask me, “How can we live this Christian life?” We can live it by the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that this Jesus Christ is going to be the appointed judge of all the wicked people in the world. In Acts 17:31, Paul told the Athenians, “‘For he [God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.’” We see the same idea in John 5:22 where Jesus said, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” In verses 27-29 he continued, “And he has given him authority to judge, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out– those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that he will raise up everyone who ever lived–some to eternal life and some to eternal damnation–and Jesus Christ will be the judge of the wicked. All who have trusted in their fallen reason and rejected the claims of Jesus Christ will be raised up from the dead by Jesus Christ himself. He will judge and damn them.

How Do We Respond to the Resurrection?

How do we respond to the resurrection of Christ? I urge you to repent now and believe in him who is the Judge of the whole world. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved,” Paul told the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:31). The Lord Jesus is the Son of God who became man. He is very God and very man. He was crucified, he died and was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. This same Lord Jesus Christ ascended into the heavens, is ruling and reigning even now, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Will you bow down before him and be saved forever?

May God give you faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and particularly in the fact that God raised him from the dead. May you come to know that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and there is no other. May we all remember that Jesus is the Judge whom we will all face, because it is appointed to man once to die and then comes judgment. May God have mercy on us, that we will beg for mercy and pardon from him and be saved. Amen.

Posted by lightyourlife at 2:10 pm | permalink | Add comment

Why diverse denominations in Christianity?

The reason there are different denominations within Christianity is because the Bible allows for us to have differences of opinions. Within Christianity there are very few essential doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian. These essential doctrines are,

Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4).
Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14).
Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4).
The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9).
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8).
God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (See Trinity).
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation)

As long as a church believes in these essential doctrines, then it is Christian. However, there are many things in the scriptures that have been interpreted in different ways. For example, what day of the week should be worship on, Saturday or Sunday? Should we baptize by sprinkling or baptize by immersion? Do we take communion every Sunday, once a month, or once a year? The answers to these questions do not affect whether or not someone is a Christian. It is in these issues, and others like them, that denominations are formed. It does not mean that one denomination contradicts another. It means that though they agree in the essentials, they differ in some nonessentials. This is permitted in Scripture:

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. ² One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. ³Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. ⁴ Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ⁵ One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind,” (Rom. 14:1-5).

Sadly, there is another reason for denominational differences and that is the failure of Christians to live according to the will of God. The truth is that we are all sinners and we do not see things eye to eye. It is an unfortunate truth that denominational differences are due to our shortsightedness and lack of love. But, the good thing is that God loves us so much that He puts up with our failures. There waits for us, in spite of our differences, a great reward in heaven. Neither salvation nor damnation is dependent upon our differences. Our salvation is based on our relationship with Christ.

Posted by lightyourlife at 1:59 pm | permalink | Add comment

JESUS SAVES!

Jesus is the most important figure in all of human history. He is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), physically risen from the dead, Lord (Luke 24:34; John 2:19-21) and Savior (Acts 5:30-32). He came to die for sinners (Rom. 5:8) to deliver people from the righteous wrath of God upon us.

Are you a sinner?

I ask you, are you a sinner? Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? If so, then you have broken the Law of God. God has said “You shall not steal; You shall not lie; You shall have no other gods before Me; You shall not murder, etc.,” (Exodus 20). He has given the standard of righteousness and if you have broken any of God’s commandments then you have fallen short of that standard and are under the inevitable judgment of God. When you die, you will face Him and on the Day of Judgment he will deliver the proper judgment to all people. He must because he is righteous.

If you do not like this teaching, then throw away your Bible and turn away from Christ, for this is the message of God’s word — that Jesus came to die for sinners and to save them from the wrath to come.

Jesus is the One you need. You need him alone. Your works won’t help you (Rom. 3:10-12; Isaiah 64:6), nor will your sincerity. You can never be good enough and you have nothing to offer God except your sinfulness. It is only by the love and grace of God found in Jesus and His sacrifice that you can be delivered from the righteous wrath of God upon all who have broken His law. Jesus saves you from God. Jesus saves you from God’s righteous judgment.

On the Day of Judgment God will judge all people for their sins against Him. He will judge all who have lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, dishonored their parents, etc. He will do this because He is holy and righteous. God must punish the sinner. God cannot and will not ignore the person who has broken His righteous law. The Law is a reflection of the character of God. Therefore, to break God’s law is to offend God and deny the holiness of His character. He will be vindicated. He will judge.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2) and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph. 2:3). The only way to be saved from the wrath of God, is to be saved from it by faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else, not even your own sincerity or works. It is Jesus and only Jesus who can turn away the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner.

The Gospel

The gospel is that Jesus died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). This is the only way to be saved.

Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to the God the Father (John 14;6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God’s wrath (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:2). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24)so that those who trust in Him would be saved.

If you are not a Christian, and want to be delivered from the righteous judgment of God, then come to the One who died for the sins of the world. Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Turn from your sins. Believe and trust in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as your Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Receive Christ (John 1:12) and the sacrifice he offered on the cross. Only He can wash you clean from your sins and only Jesus can deliver you from the future judgment of a holy and infinite God. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you.

He will.

Posted by lightyourlife at 1:53 pm | permalink | Add comment

Jesus Saves

(Jesus saves from what and from who?)

Jesus is the most important figure in all of human history. He is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), physically risen from the dead, Lord (Luke 24:34; John 2:19-21) and Savior (Acts 5:30-32). He came to die for sinners (Rom. 5:8) to deliver people from the righteous wrath of God upon us.

Are you a sinner?

I ask you, are you a sinner? Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? If so, then you have broken the Law of God. God has said “You shall not steal; You shall not lie; You shall have no other gods before Me; You shall not murder, etc.,” (Exodus 20). He has given the standard of righteousness and if you have broken any of God’s commandments then you have fallen short of that standard and are under the inevitable judgment of God. When you die, you will face Him and on the Day of Judgment he will deliver the proper judgment to all people. He must because he is righteous.

If you do not like this teaching, then throw away your Bible and turn away from Christ, for this is the message of God’s word — that Jesus came to die for sinners and to save them from the wrath to come.

Jesus is the One you need. You need him alone. Your works won’t help you (Rom. 3:10-12; Isaiah 64:6), nor will your sincerity. You can never be good enough and you have nothing to offer God except your sinfulness. It is only by the love and grace of God found in Jesus and His sacrifice that you can be delivered from the righteous wrath of God upon all who have broken His law. Jesus saves you from God. Jesus saves you from God’s righteous judgment.

On the Day of Judgment God will judge all people for their sins against Him. He will judge all who have lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, dishonored their parents, etc. He will do this because He is holy and righteous. God must punish the sinner. God cannot and will not ignore the person who has broken His righteous law. The Law is a reflection of the character of God. Therefore, to break God’s law is to offend God and deny the holiness of His character. He will be vindicated. He will judge.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2) and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph. 2:3). The only way to be saved from the wrath of God, is to be saved from it by faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else, not even your own sincerity or works. It is Jesus and only Jesus who can turn away the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner.

The Gospel

The gospel is that Jesus died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). This is the only way to be saved.

Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to the God the Father (John 14;6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God’s wrath (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:2). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24)so that those who trust in Him would be saved.

If you are not a Christian, and want to be delivered from the righteous judgment of God, then come to the One who died for the sins of the world. Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Turn from your sins. Believe and trust in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as your Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Receive Christ (John 1:12) and the sacrifice he offered on the cross. Only He can wash you clean from your sins and only Jesus can deliver you from the future judgment of a holy and infinite God. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you.

He will.

Posted by lightyourlife at 1:49 pm | permalink | Add comment

Worship Is

If you ask people what “worship is,” you’ll probably receive many answers related to music, church services, and singing. While worship certainly includes the songs we sing and the services we attend, this common definition limits worship to a timeframe or specific activity.

Instead, we believe the Bible teaches that worship is a lifestyle–an ongoing response to God in every circumstance and every moment.

So we are asking people, from different denominations, cultural backgrounds, and walks of life, to consider the many forms and expressions of worship. And we’re sharing their answers–articles, videos, images, and perspectives about what “worship is.”

Posted by lightyourlife at 1:31 pm | permalink | Add comment

The Deity of Jesus Christ

I. Jesus Christ was more than a “good man.” He is God.
Philippians 2:6
Hebrews 1:8

A. He Himself claimed to be God.
John 4:26; 8:23; 10:30; 13:13; 14:7-10

B. He accepted worship.
Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 18:26; 28:9, 17
Mark 5:6; Luke 24:52; John 5:22, 23; John 9:38

C. He claimed the power and authority to forgive sin.
Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:7

    D. ”He was God manifest in the flesh” (l Timothy 3:16), “for in
    Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily”
    (Colossians 2:9).

E. “God was in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19), Who is “the
brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person….”
(Hebrews 1:3).

F. Jesus is therefore throughout scripture referred to as the
“image of God.”
John 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15
Philippians 2:6

II. By the names attributed to him in scripture it can be seen that
Jesus Christ was truly God as well as man.

A. ”Mighty God.” Isaiah 9:6
B. The Word of God. John 1:1; Revelation 19:13, 16
C. ”Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
D. The Almighty. Revelation 1:8
   E . The “I Am.” John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14
   F. ”My Lord and my God!”   John 20:28
G. The “Alpha and Omega” (first and last).
   Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 11, 17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13
H. Son of God. Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 1 John 4:15

III. Jesus Christ possessed all the attributes of God.

A. He was (is) omniscient (all-knowing).
John 4:25, 26, 29; 6:64; 13:11; 19:28; 21:17

1. He knew their thoughts.
Matthew 9:4; 12:25; 22:18; Mark 2:8; 12:15
Luke 5:22; 6:8; 9:47; 11:17
John 2:24, 25; 5:42; 6:6; 16:19, 30; Acts 1:24

2. He even foretold His own death by crucifixion.
Matthew 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:18, 19
John 2:19, 21, 22; 12:23, 24, 32-33

B. He is omnipresent (everywhere).
Matthew 18:20; 28:20; Ephesians 1:23

C. He is omnipotent (all-powerful).
Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 28:18
John 3:31, 35; 17:2; 1 Peter 3:22

D. He is eternal.
1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; Revelation 1:4, 5

1. Scripture claims that Christ was pre-existent to the
creation of the world, that He was present with the
Father from the beginning of time.
Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:7 (”… us … our … our …”)
Proverbs 8:22-36; Isaiah 48:12, 16; Micah 5:2
John 1:1-3, 10; 3:13; 6:62; 17:5, 24; 8:35, 58
1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; Philippians 2:5
Colossians 1:15-19
Romans 11:36; Hebrews 1:2; Revelation 3:14

2. Jesus is “the first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12;
Revelation 1:11, 17), the “Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end” (Revelation 1:8, 11; 2:8;
21:6; 22:13).

E. He is unchanging.
   Hebrews 13:8
                         John 8:58; 18:6 with Exodus 3:14 (”I AM”)
   Revelation 1:17, 18 (”the Living One”)

IV. Some claim that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is proof that
He could not have been God. What evidence is given in scripture
to refute this argument?

A. Jesus’ death on the cross was not due to failure or weakness
on His part. It was entirely voluntary.
Matthew 26:39, 42; Luke 22:42; John 10:17, 18
Philippians 2:5-9

B. It was the will of God that He suffer and die.
Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him…”

C. He even foretold His own death by crucifixion.
Matthew 20:18, 19; 16:21; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34
John 2:19, 21, 22; 12:23, 24, 32, 33

D. He said that He had the power to lay down His life and had
power to take it back again.
John 10:17, 18

E. It was not necessary for Him to be defended, He said, for He
could have called upon the Father to send 10,000 legions of
angels for His protection.
Matthew 26:50-54

F. He overcame death by rising again. The resurrection alone
should be sufficient evidence of His divinity. (See Section
VI-E).

V. Why was it necessary that He should become a man and die?

A. ”… that through death He might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil.”
Hebrews 2:14

B. To “deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.”
Hebrews 2:15

C. ”… that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God … in that He Himself hath suffered being
tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:17, 18; 4:14-16

D. “… to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
Hebrews 2:17

VI. The specific details of His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection, all in fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic prophecy, prove the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. His birth.

1. The virgin birth.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 7:14
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:23, 24
Luke 1:27, 31, 34, 35

2. Birthplace: Bethlehem.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Micah 5:2
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 2:1, 6

3. Date of birth.
Old Testament prophecy: Daniel 9:24

4. The genealogy of Jesus Christ.
a. Of Abraham’s seed.
  (1) Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 12:2, 3; 22:18
  (2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:1;
        Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 2:16

b. Descendant of Isaac.
(1) Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 21:12
(2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:23, 24

c. Descendant of Jacob.
   (1)   Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 35:10-12 Numbers 24:17
  (2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:2;
          Luke 1:33; 3:23, 24

d. Of the tribe of Judah.
     (1) Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 49:10
     (2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:3;
        Luke 3:33; Revelation 5:5

e. Descendant of Jesse.
(1) Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 11:1, 10
(2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:23, 32

f. Davidic lineage.
     (1) Old Testament prophecy: 2 Samuel 7:12-14 Jeremiah 23:5
     (2) New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 15:22; etc.
            Acts 13:22, 23 Revelation 5:5; 22:16

5. The flight into Egypt.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Hosea 11:1
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 2:14, 15

B. His life.

Jesus alone lived a sinless, perfect life, fully
surrendered to the Father.
   John 8:29; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21
   Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 9:14; 10:7
      1 Peter 2:22; 1:19; 1 John 3:5

C. His ministry.

1. His manner of teaching was simplistic. He spoke in parables.

a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 49:1-4; 78:1, 2
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 13:34, 35; John 16:25

2. He spoke with authority.
Matthew 7:28, 29; Luke 4:32; John 7:46

3. His works, the wonders He performed while here
on earth, prove that Jesus Christ was more than a man.
Matthew 4:23, 24; 11:3-5; Mark 1:34
John 9:32, 33; 10:37, 38; 21:25

D. His death.

1. Betrayal of a friend.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 41:9
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:21-23; Mark 14:10

2. Forsaken by disciples.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Zechariah 13:7
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:31, 32

3. Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Zechariah 11:12
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:15

4. Potter’s field bought with money.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Zechariah 11:13
b. New Testament fulfillment. Matthew 27:1-8

5. Falsely accused by testimonies of many witnesses.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 35:11
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:59, 60

6. Dumb before His captors.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 53:7
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:62, 63; 27:12, 14

7. Scourged.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 50:6
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 26:67; 27:26

8. Crucified.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 22:16
b. New Testament fulfillment: Mark 15:24

9. With evildoers.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 53:12
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:38; John 19:18

10. His words while dying.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 22:1
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:46

11. Vinegar and gall.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 22:15; 69:21
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:34, 48; John 19:28

12. Scorned by men.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 22:6-8
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:39-44

13. Wounded in hands and side.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Zechariah 12:10; 13:6
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:35; John 19:34

14. None of His bones broken.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 34:20
b. New Testament fulfillment: John 19:32, 33, 36

15. Lots cast for His clothes.
a. Old Testament prophecy: Psalms 22:18
b. New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:24

E. His resurrection.

1. Prophesied: Psalms 16:10 (Acts 2:27; 13:35-37);
Matthew 16:21 (Mark 8:31)
Matthew 12:38-40; 17:9, 22, 23; 20:18-19; 26:32; 27:63
Mark 9:10, 31; 10:32-34; 14:28, 58; Luke 9:22
John 2:19, 21, 22

2. Fulfilled: Matthew 28:6, etc.; Acts 13:30-37

3. Proof that He was bodily resurrected:
       Acts 1:1-4 “He showed Himself alive!”
       Luke 24:36, 39 “…. Jesus Himself stood in the midst
     of them …”
   John 2:19, 21 “…He spake of the temple of His body!”

a. He appeared visibly to many people. Acts 13:30-31

   (1) First to Mary Magdalene. John 20:14, 18
      (2) Then to the other women. Matthew 28:9
      (3)   To Peter. Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5
      (4)   To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus.
   Luke 24:15
         (5)   In the closed room, to ten disciples.
      Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19, 20
         (6) To the eleven. John 20:26, 29
      (7) In the mountains, to the eleven. Matthew 28:10, 17
      (8) At the sea, to Peter, Thomas, Nathanael,
   the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
            John 21:1, 14, etc.
         (9) To 500 brethren at once. 1 Corinthians 15:6
         (10) To James, and to all the apostles.
      Acts 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:7
      (11) To Paul. Acts 9:3-6; 22:17-21; 23:11
             1 Corinthians 15:8

b. He talked with them.
Matthew 28:10, 18
      Luke 24:15-17, 25-27, 36-49
         John 20:15-18, 22, 23, 26-29; 21:5, 6, 10-2 2
      Acts 1:3

c. He ate with them.
      Luke 24:30, 35, 41-43
      John 21:12, 15
      Acts 1:3, 4

   d. They touched Him.
  (1) The women. Matthew 28:9
  (2) The disciples. Luke 24:39
  (3) Thomas. John 20:27

VII. The doctrine of the deity of Jesus, one of the most basic tenets of Christian belief, is perverted by many cults falsely assuming the name of “Christian” (i.e., Jehovah’s Witnesses/Watchtower Society; Mormonism, etc.), and “twisting the scriptures to their own destruction.” It is essential, therefore, that true believers have a firm foundation in Scripture relating to this teaching

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