1. Jesus: Fully God

Introduction

In our imaginations we all have pictures of Jesus. Often, these are shaped by our experiences, age, and personal encounters with God. One aim of this series is to build our Christological understanding on the Jesus outlined in the Bible.

But beyond our understanding, we need to approach these sessions with a hunger to encounter Jesus in person – Ps 42

Christians believe:

· That Jesus was fully God

· That Jesus was fully man

· That mysteriously these 2 realities combine in the person of Jesus

Ebionism – Jesus is not God; Docetism – Jesus not human; Gnostics – Jesus was ‘essence of man’; Arianism – Jesus didn’t pre-exist; Nestorianism – 2 separate entities; Eutychianism – didn’t dwell in same person.

Where do we get the confidence for such a claim?

1. Direct Statements – John 1:12; Heb1:8; Rom 9:5; John 1:18; John 20:28; Tit 2:13; 2 Pet 1:1; Acts 20:28. On top of this there are many indirect, implied statements such as Matt 1:23

2. Jesus identity in NT with Jehovah of OT

Greek word for Yahweh is Lord. Jesus was constantly called this. See Rom 10:9 and Jesus own acceptance in John 13:13.

3. Attributes of God displayed by Jesus – Glory, worship, creator, saviour, judge, witness.

4. Witness of the virgin birth and the resurrection

What is the significance of all this evidence?

If Jesus wasn’t God it would mean that the revelation he brings is not that of the Godhead. It would mean the revelation could be superseded. It axes the entire Christian truth-claim and we are back groping in the darkness. It means that Christmas really is a commercial sham. And worst of all, because it is God we have wronged and only God that can redeem, the whole salvation story is pointless. Our feelings of peace and forgiveness are just that – feelings. However, we can wake up again to the wonderful reality – Jesus is God.

Highly Recommended

The Jesus I never knew, Philip Yancey

Recommended:

Jesus and the four Gospels, John Drane

The Life, J. John

Following Jesus, Nigel Wright

Why do you believe what you believe about Jesus, Graham McFarlane