Jesus
Christ: Man or God?
Screen
1
We invite you to pray with us, before beginning this lesson:
Almighty Lord,
You have guided us, by Your Holy Spirit, in our study of Your inspired Word.
We humbly ask You to continue to do so, as we study the subject of the nature of Your Son,
Jesus Christ.
Open our hearts and our minds to Your precious truth. We pray in the name of Jesus our
Savior.
Amen.
Screen 2
Mark 8:29
[Jesus] said to [His disciples], «But who do you say
that I am?»
This question, which Jesus asked His disciples, could still be asked today,
especially about His divine nature.
In fact, many people don't know what to think about this.
On the one hand, some say that Jesus is God, equal with the Father. On the other hand,
some deny His divinity, teaching that He is only the Son of God, and not God the Son.
As for us, we will choose to let the Bible enlighten us on this subject.
Screen 3
Matthew 1:23
«Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son,
and they shall call His name Immanuel,» which is translated, «God with us».
The Word of God asserts at different places and in different ways that Jesus
Christ is truly God.
First, let us look at the verses directly testifying to the divinity of Jesus. Then, we
will compare verses from the Old and the New Testament, which will bring us to the same
conclusion.
Screen 4
John 1:1,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. (...)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him,
because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making
Himself equal with God.
Many times, the Gospel according to John testifies to the divinity of Christ.
From the very first verse, it presents the Word as being God: the rest of the chapter
clearly shows that John was speaking of Jesus.
Screen 5
John 20:28
And Thomas answered and said to [Jesus]: «My Lord and my
God!»
John 10:30,33
Jesus said, «I and My Father are one.» (...)
The Jews answered Him, saying, «For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy,
and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.»
Let us note that Jesus never corrected Thomas' exclamation, nor the Jews'
interpretation, both bringing out His divinity.
If Jesus were not God, He certainly would have corrected such clear and straightforward
declarations!
Screen 6
Romans 9:5
Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God.
Colossians 2:9
For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily.
Hebrews 1:8,9
But to the Son [God] says: «Your throne, O God, is
forever and ever.» (...)
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness.
In his epistles, the apostle Paul clearly testifies to the divinity of Jesus
Christ.
Screen 7
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and
the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace.
«Mighty God, Everlasting Father...» The prophecies of the Old Testament,
announcing the coming of the Messiah, also confirm the divinity of Jesus.
Let's look at other examples of this in the book of Zechariah.
Screen 8
Zechariah 11:12,13
They weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
And the Lord said to me, «Throw it to the potter» - that princely price they set on me.
Zechariah 12:1,10
Thus says the Lord (...): «They will look on Me whom
they have pierced.»
The words of the prophecy about Judas' betrayal for thirty pieces of silver,
just like those about the crucifixion of Jesus, are pronounced by God concerning Himself,
although they concern Christ.
The only possible conclusion: Jesus is God.
Screen 9
John 14:8-11
Philip said to Him,
«Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.»
Jesus said to him,
«Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me
has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father"?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? (...) Believe Me that I
am in the Father and the Father in Me.»
We will now see that even before the creation of the world, Jesus Christ was
already working at the Father's side.
Screen 10
John 17:5
[Jesus said,]
«And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with
You before the world was.»
John 1:3
All things were made through [the Word], and without Him
nothing was made that was made.
Just like God the Father, Jesus exists «from
everlasting» (Micah 5:2): He had no beginning.
«Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.»
(Hebrews 13:8)
Screen 11
Hebrews 1:2
[God] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,
whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
Colossians 1:16
For by [the Son] all things were created that are in
heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him.
The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ played an essential role in the creation
of the world.
All things were created by Him.
This having been established, let us take a close look at the following verse...
Screen 12
Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you
from the womb:
«I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who
spreads abroad the earth by Myself.»
On the one hand, God asserts that He alone created the world.
But on the other hand, the Bible declares many times that Jesus Christ created all things.
Again, the only possible conclusion: Jesus is God.
Screen 13
Luke 2:11
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
1 John 4:14
We testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of
the world.
Ephesians 1:7
In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood.
We know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer.
Yet, just the same as for the title of Creator, these titles are reserved only to God, as
the following verses will demonstrate...
Screen 14
Isaiah 43:11
I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no
savior.
Hosea 13:4
I am the Lord your God (...); there is no savior besides
Me.
Isaiah 54:5
Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the
God of the whole earth.
Since Jesus Christ is God, He can be called Savior, Redeemer of men.
Screen 15
Luke 4:8
You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you
shall serve.
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at [the angel's] feet to worship him. But he
said to me,
«See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the
testimony of Jesus.
Worship God!»
We must worship God, and God alone. This is a very clear point established in
all the Scriptures.
Now, let us note the following verses...
Screen 16
Hebrews 1:5,6
For to which of the angels did [God] ever say: «You are
My Son (...). Let all the angels of God worship Him.»
Revelation 5:12,14
[The angels were] saying with a loud voice: «Worthy is
the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and
glory and blessing!» (...)
Then the four living creatures said, «Amen!»
And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him.
The Lamb, who is Jesus, is worshiped because He is God.
Screen 17
Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, «I AM WHO I AM.»
And He said, «Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to
you."»
John 8:58,59
Jesus said to [the Jews],
«Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.»
Then they took up stones to throw at Him.
Jesus used the conjugation «I am» instead of the one that would have been
appropriate, that is, «I was». Doing this, He presented Himself as the great «I AM»
who is God.
Recognizing that, the Jews then wanted to stone Him.
Screen 18
Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer,
the Lord of hosts:
«I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.»
Revelation 1:17,18
«I am the First and the Last.
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.»
In addition to the name «I am», Jesus uses «the First and the Last»,
another name which designates God.
The expression «I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore» clearly shows that it is
Jesus who is speaking here.
Screen 19
Revelation 1:8
«I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the
End,» says the Lord, «who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.»
Revelation 22:12,13
«And behold, I am coming quickly. (...)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.»
Again, Jesus presents Himself under the same title as God: the Alpha and the
Omega, that is, the First and the Last, since Alpha and Omega are the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet.
Screen 20
Psalm 24:10
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the
King of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:8
(...) the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the
ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they
would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Need we say more?
Screen 21
1 Timothy 6:13-16
I urge you (...) that you keep this commandment without
spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which [God] will manifest in His
own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can
see.
The context clearly indicates that here, «the King of kings and Lord of
lords» designates God the Father.
Now, let us see the following verses...
Screen 22
Revelation 17:14
[The ten kings] will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb
will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.
Revelation 19:13,16
[He who sat on the white horse] was clothed with a robe
dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. (...)
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
King of kings and Lord of lords: another title given to God and to Jesus
Christ, without distinction.
Yes, truly, Jesus is God.
Screen 23
John 8:24
[Jesus said,]
«For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.»
It is very important to accept Jesus not only as our Savior, but also as our
God.
Jesus, Creator, Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords, King of glory, the Alpha and the
Omega, the First and the Last, the Almighty «I AM», worthy to receive worship from all.
Yes, truly, Jesus is God!
Screen 24
Screen 25
Let us thank God for having guided us during this lesson:
Dear Savior,
We thank You for Your Word, and Your Holy Spirit who guides us as we study Your Word.
Now that we know that Jesus Christ is God, we can repeat Thomas' words, and like him we
can answer: «My Lord and my God!» (John 20:28).
May Your name be glorified forever and ever, our Almighty Lord!
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Source of the Pictures of this Lesson
Screen 1: Photo in: «Master Clips 500,000» by IMSI, CD #17,
29120050.JPG. Screen 2: In: «The Bible for Children - Retold by Bridget
Hadaway & Jean Atcheson», London, Octopus Books Limited, 1973, p.255. Screen
3: DA VINCI, Leonardo. «The Virgin and Child, with Anne and John the Baptist»
(1499), National Gallery, London. In: «La Peinture de la Renaissance Italienne» (BECK,
James H.), Editions Könemann, 1999, p.330. Screen 4: DORE, Gustave. In:
«La Bible de Gustave Doré», Lausanne, Edita, 1994, p.275. Screen 5: GUERCINO.
«The Incredulity of St. Thomas», Pinacoteca, Vatican. In: «Charlton Heston Presents the
Bible», GT Publishing, New York, 1997, p.240. Screen 6: In: «The
Children's Bible, volume 10», Golden Press, 1981, p.607. Screen 7: LIPPI,
Filippino. «Adoration of the Magi» (1496), Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. In: «La
Peinture de la Renaissance Italienne» (BECK, James H.), Editions Könemann, 1999, p.205.
Screen 8: In: «The Bible for Children - Retold by Bridget Hadaway & Jean
Atcheson», London, Octopus Books Limited, 1973, pp.265 and 277. Composite picture by
Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 9: Used by permission. Copyright © 1957,
1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. REMMEY,
Paul. In: «The Bible Story, volume 9» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.66. Picture edited by
Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 10: JUSTINEN, Lars. In: «Questionnaire
Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Fourth Quarter, 1998,
front cover. Screen 11: Used by permission. Copyright © 1990 by Review
and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. MOLAN, Chris. In: «Forever
Stories, volume 1» (BYERS, Carolyn), p.13. Screen 12: JUSTINEN, Lars.
In: «Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association,
Third Quarter, 1999, front cover. Screen 13: BRICE, N. In: «The Bible
Pageant, Volume 4: The Mighty Prince» (NEFF, Merlin L.), Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1949, p.215. Screen 14: MICHELANGELO. «Creation of Adam»
(1508-1512), Sistine Chapel, Vatican. In: «La Peinture de la Renaissance Italienne»
(BECK, James H.), Editions Könemann, 1999, p.365. Screen 15: In: «The
Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes» (TAYLOR, Kenneth N.), Moody Press, Chicago, 1956,
p.119. Screen 16: VAN EYCK, Jan. «The Adoration of the Lamb» (1432),
Cathedral of St. Bavon, Ghent. In: «Revelation» (LORIE, Peter), Simon & Schuster,
Labyrinth Publishing Ltd, 1994, p.216. Screen 17: RAPHAEL's workshop.
«Moses Before the Burning Bush» (c. 1516), Loggia, Vatican. In: «Charlton Heston
Presents the Bible», GT Publishing, New York, 1997, p.90-91. Screen 18: OTTO.
«The Ascension». In: «Beautiful Bible Stories» (MARTIN, Patricia Summerlin),
Southwestern Company, 1964, p.450-h. Screen 19: STEEL, John. In: «La
Sentinelle» magazine (April 1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.10.
Screen 20: Used by permission. Copyright © 1955, 1983 by Review and Herald®
Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. HARLAN, Russell. In: «The Bible Story,
volume 5» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.151. Screen 21: GRÜNEWALD, Matthias.
«The Resurrection of Christ» (1510-1515). Musée Unterlinden, Colmar. In: «The Bible in
Art» (WRIGHT, Susan), Todtri Productions Limited, New York, 1996, p.107. Screen
22: Used by permission. Copyright © 1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing
Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. HEASLIP, William. In: «The Bible Story, volume
10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.197. Screen 23: MANISCALCO, Joe. In:
«Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM140.BMP.
Screen 24: BOTTICELLI, Sandro. «The Mystic Nativity» (1550), National Gallery,
London. In: «The Art of Angels» (LOXTON, Howard), Regency House Publishing Limited,
1995, p.20. Table of Screen 24: First picture: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «The
Touch of Love (The Desire of Ages)» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Family Heritage Books, 1995, p.26.
Second picture: In: «The Triumph of God's Love, volume 1» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Pacific
Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1950, Cover
illustration. Screen 25: «San Juan Mountains near Telluride in southwest
Colorado.» In: «Deluxe Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia CD - 1998 Edition», Compton's
Home Library, 1997.
Any copyrighted images not bearing a statement of permission, are used
for the purpose of non-commercial scholarly commentary or criticism in accordance with section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law, and with article 29 of Canada Copyright Act (Chapter C-42), which by
law can be without the consent or endorsement of the copyright holder. Images lacking
attribution are either known or assumed to be in the public domain, or have an as yet
undetermined status. Anyone having knowledge of proper attribution for an image is
requested to contact us via email below so that it can be correctly noted. It is our
intent to comply fully with applicable laws regarding intellectual property rights.
The test of Lesson 10 is waiting for you!