The Deity of Christ.

(John 20:31) But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

(1 John 5:11-13) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. {13} I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(Rev 22:12-13) "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. {13} I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Introduction
The name Jesus Christ
Evidences for Jesus divinity
He is the image of the invisible God
The importance of Jesus
Links on the deity, trinity and Messiah
Scripture references

Introduction

The Deity of Christ is under attack, not only, from cults but from the Muslims and most tragically of all from the Jews. The doctrine of the trinity is also under attack, but this should be seen as a secondary issue to the deity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God then there can be no trinity. If there is no trinity then Jesus is not God, so the attack on the trinity is a means of denying the divinity of Jesus. We should note that the doctrine of the trinity, while it may be a paradox is not a contradiction. While the deity of Christ was probably not of first importance to the gospel (see 1 Cor 15:3 ff.) during the time of the early church, it nevertheless forms part of the pillar of truth that we are called to contend (Jude 1:3). As I hope to show below, the title Christ or Messiah as applied to Jesus Christ implies divinity because the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah indicate that he is God.

(Jude 1:3) Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

(Isa 9:6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isa 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The Name Jesus Christ

John warns us that the antichrist is the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, he also denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22-23). Here John is speaking about the divinity of Christ.

(1 John 2:22-23) Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. {23} No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

He also goes on to tell us that every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus (having come in the flesh), that is, his humanity is the spirit of the antichrist. These are strong words. The test of a false prophet is that he denies either the humanity of Jesus or his divinity. Jesus is fully human and fully God.

(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. {2} 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, {3} 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.

John also tells us that God's command is to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23). Now in this context the name sums up everything that is true of the person and to believe in the name of Jesus Christ is to believe in his humanity and divinity. In fact if you go through Acts you will find that there is great emphasis on the name 'Jesus Christ', Acts 3:16 (see also scripture references).

(1 John 3:23) And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

(Acts 3:16) By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

John tells us that 'If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God', the title 'Son of God' acknowleges that Jesus is divine. The Jews of Jesus time certainly understood that the title 'Son of God' to mean that Jesus was divine (equal to God) which was why they accused him of blasphemy and ultimately handed him over to be crucified (Mat 26:63-66, John5:18, 10:29-38).

(1 John 4:14-15) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. {15} If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

(Mat 26:63-66) But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." {64} "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." {65} Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. {66} What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

(John 5:18) For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

(John 10:29-38) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. {30} I and the Father are one." {31} Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, {32} but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" {33} "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." {34} Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? {35} If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot be broken-- {36} what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? {37} Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. {38} But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

In prophecying about the coming Messiah, the great messianic prophet Isaiah, said that he would be called Immanual (Isa 7:14) which means 'God with us' as told in Mat 1:23 which claims to be the fulfilment of Isa 7:14.

(Isa 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

(Mat 1:20-23) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. {21} She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." {22} All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: {23} "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us."

Isaiah also prophecied that the Messiah would be called 'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father' (Isa 9:6). The fact is that at his trial before the high priest he confessed to be both the Messiah (the Christ) and the Son of God (Mat 26:23-4). The name Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew Messiah, both mean 'annointed one' see John 1:41. Thus the name Christ implies that Jesus is the Messiah and we have seen from Isa 9:6 that the Messiah would be called 'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father' both titles of divinity. Peters recognition that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) also recognized him as the Son of the living God.

(Isa 9:6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(John 1:41) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).

(Mat 16:16) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Evidences of Jesus Divinity

In the Gospels

Jesus own claim to be the Messiah

(John 4:25-26) The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." {26} Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

(Mat 26:63-64) But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." {64} "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (cf. Dan 7:13)

He forgave sins

(Luke 5:20-24) When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." {21} The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" {22} Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? {23} Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? {24} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." See also Mat 9:2-7, Mk 2:10.

His miracles

(John 10:25) Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,

(John 10:36-38) what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? {37} Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. {38} But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

(John 14:9-11) Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? {10} Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. {11} Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

(Mat 8:27) The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

He accepts worship

(Mat 14:33) Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

(Mat 28:9) Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

(John 9:38) Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

Thomas calls Jesus God, he is not rebuked by Jesus

(John 20:28-29) Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

His pre-existance

(John 17:20-24) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, {21} that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. {22} I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: {23} I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. {24} "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

(John 8:58) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

(John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

(John 1:10) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

(John 3:13) No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.

Old testament quoted in the New Testament

In John 1:23 John the Baptist quotes Isa 40:3 when he says that he has come to 'Make straight the way for the Lord' clearly this refers to Jesus and yet Isa 40:3 uses the term God instead of Lord.

(John 1:23) John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"

(Isa 40:3) A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

When the children shout 'Hosanna to the Son of David' which refers to Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus applies this to himself and quotes Psalm 8:2 which clearly refers to the Creator God.

(Mat 21:15-16) But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. {16} "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

(Psa 8:1-4) For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. {2} From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. {3} When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, {4} what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

In the Old Testament it is the Lord who heals you, in the New Testament Jesus healed them.

(Exo 15:26) He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD , who heals you."

(Mat 4:24) News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.

John 12:41 says that Isaiah saw Jesus' glory, if we read Isaiah, we find that he saw the glory of the King, the LORD Almighty (Isa 6:5).

(John 12:37-41) Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. {38} This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" {39} For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: {40} "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them." {41} Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

(Isa 6:5) "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

In Zec 12:10 God says 'They will look upon me, the one they have pierced' this was fulfilled by Jesus when the soldier pierced Jesus body on the cross, see John 19:34-37 and Rev 1:7.

(Zec 12:10) "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

(John 19:34-37) Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. {35} The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. {36} These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," {37} and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

(Rev 1:7) Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

In Isa 45:22-23 God says that 'Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear', Paul quotes this in Rom 14:11 where it refers to God and in Phil 2:9-11 we find that every knee bows to Jesus and every tougue confesses Jesus - has God changed his mind or is Jesus really God.

(Isa 45:22-23) "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. {23} By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

(Rom 14:11) It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

(Phil 2:9-11) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Joel 2:32 says 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' the Hebrew name 'Lord ' is that of the eternal God and yet Paul applies this verse to Jesus in Rom 10:13, see also Peters use of it in Acts 2:21.

(Joel 2:32) And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD (yehovah) will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

(Rom 10:9-13) 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. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

In the rest of the NT

Alpha and Omega

In Rev 22:13 Jesus designates himself as the Alpha and the Omega, a term clearly also used of God in Rev 1:8 and 21:6.

(Rev 22:12-13) "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. {13} I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

(Rev 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."

(Rev 21:5-6) He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." {6} He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

First and the Last

The title 'First and the Last' is used of Jesus in Rev 1:17 (and 2:8, 22:13) and is used of God in Isa 44:6 (and 48:12)

(Rev 1:17) 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.

(Isa 44:6) "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

His participation in the creation:

(Col 1:15-19) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. {19} For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

(John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Jesus who existed in the form of God, became man.

(Phil 2:5-11) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, {7} but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. {9} Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, {11} and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus died on the cross, yet this verse says that God bought the church with his own blood, this implies that Jesus is God.

(Acts 20:28) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

This verse spells out the Deity of Jesus Christ.

(Titus 2:13) while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

In Hebrews, talking about the Son, he says 'Your throne, O God....'

(Heb 1:8) But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

(Psa 45:6) Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Who Raised Jesus from the Dead?

The Father

(Rom 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.

The Son

(John 2:19-22) Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." {20} The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" {21} But the temple he had spoken of was his body. {22} After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

The Holy Spirit

(Rom 8:11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

God

(Acts 13:30) But God raised him from the dead,

Who does the Bible say is God?

The Father

(Eph 4:6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The Son

(Titus 2:13) while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

The Holy Spirit

(Acts 5:3-4) Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? {4} Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

One God

(Deu 4:35) You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.

There are many more proofs from scripture, but these can be found in the link pages below as well as a discussion of the Trinity.

Note on Col 1:15

The phrase 'firstborn over all creation' found in Col 1:15 is sometimes used to imply that Jesus is a created being, although created before anything else was created since everything was created by him (Col 1:16). The word firstbornin Greek is prototokos:G4416 and is used again in Col 1:17 where is is used in the sense that he is the first to rise from the dead (permanently) see also its use in Rom 8:29, Heb 1:6, Rev 1:5. The word prototokos can also mean preeminant and that He is the first cause of creation not the first created being.

(Col 1:15-19 NIV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. {19} For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

That He is not the first created being is demonstrated in Heb 7:1-3; Melchizedek is compared to Jesus, and Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem who is like the Son of God: 'Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life' Heb 7:3. We should note that Melchizedek is described like the Son of God, not as the Son of God. In other words the writer has taken the lack of a recorded geneology and death of Melchizedek to illustrate a spiritual truth about the Son. That is, he is without beginning of days or end of life.

(Heb 7:1-3 NIV) This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, {2} and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." {3} Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

He is the image of the invisible God

We cannot see God but we can see him in Jesus Christ

(Heb 1:1-3) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. {3} 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.

(Col 1:15-20) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. {19} For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, {20} and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

(2 Cor 4:4) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

(John 1:18) No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

(John 14:9-11) Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? {10} Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. {11} Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

(2 Cor 4:6) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

(2 Cor 5:18-19) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: {19} that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

The importance of Jesus

Jesus speaks the words of God

(John 3:34) For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

When we believe in Jesus we are also believing in God, when we see Jesus we also see God

(John 12:44-45) Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. {45} When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.

If we reject Jesus we also reject God

(Luke 10:16) "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

In believing in Jesus we receive eternal life

(John 6:40) For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

The works that God requires of us is to believe in His Son

(John 6:28-29) Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" {29} Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

God commands us to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ

(1 John 3:23) And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Jesus does the things that he sees his Father doing

(John 5:19) Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

We will die in our sins if we do not believe in Jesus claims about himself

(John 8:23-24) But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. {24} I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

The testimony of Moses about Jesus - Listen to him

(Acts 3:22-23) For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. {23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' (cf. Deu 18:15)

The testimony of God about Jesus - Listen to him!

(Mat 17:5) While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

God has already testified that Jesus is the Christ

(1 John 5:9-13) We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. {10} Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. {11} And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. {13} I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(John 5:36-40) "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. {37} And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, {38} nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. {39} You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, {40} yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

It is God Himself who attaches great importance to his Son as some of the verses above illustrate. It is God who has decreed that men and woman come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. God Himself has testified that we should listen to His Son.

(John 3:16-18) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {18} Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

(John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

(John 10:7-11) Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. {8} All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. {9} I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. {10} The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. {11} "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

(1 Tim 2:3-6) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. {5} For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, {6} who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

Our public response to Jesus determines our eternal destiny.

(Luke 12:8-9) "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. {9} But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

Jesus will be our Judge

(Acts 17:31) For he 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."

(Acts 10:42-43) He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. {43} All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

He is the only one who can save us and forgive us

(Acts 4:12) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(Acts 13:38-39) "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. {39} Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

(Luke 24:46-48) He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} You are witnesses of these things.

(Rom 10:12-13) For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Acts 16:30-31) He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" {31} They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

(Acts 2:38) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Links on the trinity

The Trinity - A short exposition by Francis J Beckwith
Understanding the Trinity - Matt Perman
Early Christian Faith on the Trinity, Deity of Christ...
Tawhid: Belief in One God (for Muslims)
Christian Distinctives - The Trinity (I)
In Defense of the Trinity
Notes on the Trinity:

Links on the Messiahship of Jesus

Jewish or Muslim links

Trinitarian Dogma
What's wrong with 'A Trinity'
Is Messiah Yeshuah Jesus is God Elohim
Jesus is the Personification of Satan
Messiah or Messiach
Christian-Muslim Debate (pro Muslim site)
Muslim-Christian Debate Website (Christian)
Who is our Savior? (Allah or Jesus) for response see Answering Islam

Scripture references

The name of Jesus in Acts

(Acts 2:21) And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

(Acts 2:38) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 3:6) Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

(Acts 4:7-12) They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" {8} Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! {9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, {10} then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. {11} He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' {12} Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(Acts 4:30) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

(Acts 8:12) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

(Acts 9:13-16) "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. {14} And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." {15} But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. {16} I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

(Acts 9:27-28) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. {28} So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

(Acts 10:43) All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

(Acts 19:17) When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

(Acts 22:14-16) "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. {15} You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. {16} And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

Other references:

(1 Cor 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, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, {5} and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} 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. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

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