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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll see that the New Testament declares Jesus Christ to be God and examine the key biblical passages that establish His divine nature.

Key Verse

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Introduction

The deity of Jesus Christ is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. One cannot be a Christian and deny that Jesus is God. This truth has been under attack from the very beginning of church history, and it remains a battleground today.

1 John 4:1-3: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

Most of the heresies in the early church were false teachings about who Jesus is. This is true today as well. What are some false views about Jesus that we encounter?

Some falsely teach that He was just a good man or a great moral teacher. Others falsely teach that He is just one god among many, reducing Him to the level of other religious figures. Still others falsely teach that He had a beginning and that He became God’s Son at some point in time, denying His eternal nature.

These false beliefs are clearly rejected in the Bible. In this lesson, we’ll begin by studying the Virgin Birth of Christ, which establishes His unique nature as both God and man. Next, we’ll examine five key passages that declare Jesus Christ to be God—passages that every Christian should know well and be able to explain to others.

Here are the main points we will explore together:

• The Virgin Birth of Christ
• Five key passages that declare Christ’s deity

The Virgin Birth of Christ

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. The Gospels tell us that this virgin was Mary, a young woman who had never known a man. Jesus did not have an earthly father. His Father was God in heaven. Why does it matter that Jesus was born of a virgin? This is the only way Jesus could be the sinless Son of God. He did not inherit Adam’s sin nature, which passes from father to child.

Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).

Luke 1:35: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Paul doesn’t directly teach about the Virgin Birth in his letters. But he does seem to refer to it in a significant way. When he mentions the birth of Jesus, Paul uses a special word that reveals something important. He doesn’t say that Jesus was “born,” which would be the simplest way to say it. Instead, he says that Jesus was “made” or “came from.” Paul is emphasizing how His birth was different from other men.

Galatians 4:4: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

Romans 1:3: regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David.

Philippians 2:7: rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

(Notebook Moment: How does knowing that Jesus was born of a virgin help you understand why He could live a sinless life and become our perfect sacrifice for sin?)

People knew that there was something different about the birth of Jesus. During His lifetime, some even accused Him of being illegitimate—a cruel attack that actually confirms the unusual circumstances of His birth.

John 8:41: You are doing the works of your own father. We are not illegitimate children, they protested. The only Father we have is God himself.

This accusation shows that Joseph was not considered to be the biological father of Jesus, even by His enemies.

What can we conclude from these verses? The Bible does not say a lot about the Virgin Birth, but what it does say is very clear. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. His birth was unlike that of any other person in history. And this miraculous birth was necessary for Him to be the sinless Son of God who could redeem us from our sins.

Five Key Passages

The deity of Jesus Christ is taught throughout the New Testament, but we’ll be focusing on five of the most important passages that every Christian should know. In each passage, we’ll discover the key truths we learn about Christ’s divine nature. These passages provide overwhelming evidence that Jesus is not merely a man, but is truly God in human flesh.

➤ John 1:1-14

The Gospel of John tells us the most about the deity of Christ. John speaks of Christ as the “Word” that God has spoken to us—His ultimate revelation and communication to humanity. What do we learn in these verses about the deity of Christ?

John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

From this powerful passage we learn that Christ:

• Has always existed with God (verses 1-2)
• Is equal with God—the Word was God (verse 1)
• Created all things (verse 3)
• Is the life and the light of men (verse 4)
• Expresses the glory of His heavenly Father (verse 14)

➤ Philippians 2:5-11

This passage was probably a hymn in the early church. Paul quotes this hymn as a way of summarizing the doctrine of Christ. What do we learn about His deity from this beautiful description?

Philippians 2:6-8: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

From this passage we discover that Christ:

• Is equal with God in His very nature (verse 6)
• Chose to humble Himself and come to earth (verses 7-8)
• Alone is worthy of universal worship (verses 9-11)

➤ Colossians 1:15-17

In this passage Paul gives another clear statement about Christ. In verse 14, Paul speaks about how we are redeemed and forgiven through Him. In the next three verses, Paul tells us why Christ is able to do this. He is God, and He alone can redeem and forgive us. What do we learn about Christ?

Colossians 1:15-17: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

From this passage we learn that Christ:

• Expresses to us who God the Father is—He is the image of the invisible God (verse 15)
• Has authority over all things (verse 15). The word “firstborn” here doesn’t mean He was created first, but that He has the priority and supremacy over all creation
• Created all things, both visible and invisible (verse 16)
• Controls and sustains all things (verse 17)
• Has always existed—He is before all things (verse 17)

(Notebook Moment: How does it encourage you to know that the same Jesus who created and sustains the entire universe also knows your name and cares about the details of your life?)

➤ Hebrews 1:1-3

We don’t know who the author of Hebrews was, but the opening of this great book gives us one of the clearest statements about the deity of Christ in all of Scripture. What do we learn from these verses?

Hebrews 1:1-3: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

From this magnificent passage we discover that Christ:

• Is God’s final Word spoken to us (verse 2)
• Has authority over all things (verse 2)
• Created all things—the universe was made through Him (verse 2)
• Controls and sustains all things by His powerful word (verse 3)
• Expresses to us everything that God is—He is the exact representation of God’s being (verse 3)
• Is seated in the place of honor in heaven (verse 3)

➤ Revelation 1:11-17

The final book of the Bible gives us a beautiful picture of Christ in all His glory and majesty. In John’s vision, we see Christ as He truly is—not the humble carpenter of Nazareth, but the glorified Lord of heaven and earth. What are some of the things that John reveals about Christ?

Revelation 1:8: I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:17-18: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

From John’s vision we learn that Christ:

• Has always existed—He is the First and the Last (verses 8, 17)
• Has the power and authority of Almighty God (verses 8, 14-16)
• Is worthy of worship—John fell at His feet (verse 17)

Later in the book we learn even more about Christ. For example, we discover that He is the Creator of all things.

Revelation 4:11: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

(Notebook Moment: When John saw Jesus in His glory, he fell down as though dead. How should this vision of Christ’s majesty affect the way we approach Him in worship and prayer?)

Conclusion

We should notice how many truths about Christ are repeated throughout these passages. The testimony of Scripture is consistent and overwhelming:

• He has always existed—He is eternal
• He is the Creator of all things
• He is equal with the Father
• He has made the Father known to us
• He is the sovereign Lord and is worthy of worship

These are not the attributes of a mere man, no matter how good or wise. These are the attributes of God alone. We can stand firm on the clear testimony of the New Testament: Jesus Christ is God.

This truth should transform how we live our daily lives. If Jesus is truly God, then His words carry absolute authority. His promises are completely trustworthy. His love for us is divine love. His power to save us is unlimited. And His right to rule our lives is absolute.

When we truly understand who Jesus is, worship becomes our natural response. How can we do anything less than give our whole hearts to the One who created us, redeemed us, and sustains us by His mighty power? The deity of Christ is not just a doctrine to believe—it’s a truth that should revolutionize every aspect of our relationship with Him.

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