Jesus' Identity as God in the New Testament
Jesus' Identity as God in the New Testament
The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as both human and divine, with various passages affirming his divinity. The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the Word, stating "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" [1]. This identification of Jesus with God is reinforced by his use of the divine name "I Am" in several contexts, such as when he says "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35) and simply "I Am" (John 18:5) [4, 5].
The New Testament writers also attribute divine titles and actions to Jesus. For example, Jesus is referred to as "Lord" (Greek: kyrios), a title used for God in the Old Testament, and is said to be the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) [2]. The apostle Paul writes that Jesus is "in the form of God" and "equal with God" (Philippians 2:6), and that "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11) [8].
Early Christian theologians and fathers also affirmed Jesus' divinity. According to Hippolytus, Jesus is both man and God, with his works demonstrating divine power and his sufferings showing his humanity [7]. Augustine similarly affirms that Jesus is both God and man, being the Word of God made flesh [6].
The identification of Jesus as God is not limited to the Gospel of John. Other New Testament writings, such as the Epistles, also attribute divine characteristics to Jesus. For instance, the author of Hebrews refers to Jesus as the "exact representation of God's being" (Hebrews 1:3). The early Christian understanding of Jesus' divinity is rooted in their interpretation of Old Testament passages and their experience of Jesus as the risen Lord.
The affirmation of Jesus' divinity has been a cornerstone of Christian theology throughout history, with various traditions and confessions articulating this doctrine in different ways. The Reformed tradition, for example, emphasizes the unity of Jesus' person as both human and divine, as seen in Charles Hodge's Systematic Theology [3].
The New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as God has significant implications for understanding his role in salvation and his relationship to the Father. As the divine Son of God, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is seen as a demonstration of God's love and redemption for humanity. The early Christian affirmation of Jesus' divinity continues to shape Christian theology and worship today.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 78: human and a perfect divine nature, and is one person, the Bible teaches the whole doctrine of the incarnation as it has entered into the faith of the Church from the beginning. Second Argument, from the Current Representations of Scripture. The current language of Scripture concerning Christ proves that He was at once divine and human. In the Old Testament, He is set forth as the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah anti the family of David; as to be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem; as a man of sorrows; as meek and lowly; as b”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 6:35: 6:35 Jesus’ I am statements in John depict Jesus’ identity and ministry (see also 4:26; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7-9, 11-14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-5). Jesus purposefully used a phrase that would make his listeners think of the Old Testament name for God (Exod 3:14). • I am the bread of life: Jesus is the true manna that descended from God (John 6:38). He satisfies the spiritual hunger of those who believe in him (cp. 4:10-13).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 18:5: 18:5 I Am he (literally I am): Jesus identified himself by the divine name God had revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exod 3:14; see also John 4:26; 8:24, 58).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 35.--JESUS CHRIST, BEING THE ONLY SON OF GOD, IS AT THE SAME TIME MAN.: Wherefore Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is both God and man; God before all worlds; man in our world: God, because the Word of God (for "the Word was God"(6)); and man, because in His one person the Word was joined with a body and a rational soul. Wherefore, so far as He is God, He and the Father are one; so far as He is man, the Father is greater than He. For when He was the only Son of God, not by grace, but by nature, that He might be also full of grace, He became the”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — CHAP. XI.-- AND INDEED THAT CHRIST WAS NOT ONLY MAN, BUT GOD ALSO; THAT EVEN AS HE WAS THE SON OF MAN, SO ALSO HE WAS THE SON OF GOD. (part 2): His works assert in Him divine power? For if this should not avail to assert Him to be God from His powers, neither can His sufferings avail to show Him to be man also from them. For whatever principle be adopted on one or the other side, will be found to be maintained.[2] For there will be a risk that He should not be shown to be man from His sufferings, if He could not also be approved as God by His”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”