SCRIPTURES THAT POINT TO THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST
For
Bro. J. Morley's Life Of Christ ClassCompiled By
KL PaulsonJanuary 9, 1993
My purpose in writing this paper is to examine the Scriptures which point out and fully prove the Doctrine of the Deity of Christ. I intend to use a limited number of comments and an outline approach.
In particular, a variety of areas could be examined, but I will be concerned with the following four sections:(1) Jesus was called God,
(2) Jesus has the characteristics ascribed to God,
(3) Jesus is God by comparing Him with the Father, and
(4) Jesus is God by the type of relationship He has with believers.By the time I am through, I will have hopefully come away with a better understanding and grasp of my Lord and Saviour. Likewise the reader should have his curiosity stimulated to the fact that Jesus Christ is the one true God who appeared to us in human flesh some 2,000 years ago.
SECTION 1: JESUS WAS CALLED GOD 1.1 DIRECTLY
[Do the Scriptures directly prove that Jesus is God? Yes, they do as evidenced in eight different passages.]
"And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." (John 20:28)
[Thomas spoke to Jesus Christ and called Him his Lord and his God.]"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-2, 14)
[The Word, who was made flesh and lived upon the earth, is from the beginning, was with God, and is God Himself.]"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8)
[The writer of Hebrews recorded that God in Verse 1 called the Son God.]"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" (Philippians 2:5-6).
[Jesus Christ is the form of God.]"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" (Titus 2:13).
[God the great is Jesus Christ the Saviour.]"Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 9:5)
[Christ is the for ever blessed God.]"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
[Christ is named the mighty God.]"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (I John 5:20)
[John declared that he knew Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the true God.]1.2 BY BEING CALLED THE LIFE
[Only the living God is the source of all life. Why then is Jesus called the source of Life five times? The answer is because Jesus is Deity.]
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
[Jesus is the giver of life. The fact is so much so that he that cometh to believe on Him will never hunger nor thirst.]"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" (John 11:25).
[Martha was convinced by Jesus that He is the resurrection and the life.]"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).
[Jesus tells Thomas that He is the life. We are to seek none other person but by Him to attain eternal life with the Father.]"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)" (I John 1:1-2).
[The Word who was manifested in the flesh is eternal life.]"In him [the Word] was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4)
1.3 BY NAMES ASCRIBED TO GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
[Do the O.T. Scriptures contain names ascribed to Jesus Christ? Yes.]
OT [The LORD is the first and the last.]
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
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NT [Jesus Christ is the first and the last.]
"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:17-18)OT [The LORD is the only Saviour.]
"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
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NT [The Son is the Saviour of the world.]
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." (I John 4:14)OT [The LORD is your Holy One.]
"I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King." (Isaiah 43:15)
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NT [His Son Jesus is the Holy One and the Just.]
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;" (Acts 3:13-14).OT [The LORD our God is the Rock.]
"Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)
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NT [Christ is the Rock that accompanied Moses and the Israelites.]
"And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:3-4)OT [God is the I AM.]
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)
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NT [Jesus is the I am.]
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)OT [The LORD is my shepherd.]
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
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NT [Jesus is the good shepherd.]
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)OT [The LORD is the husband of God's people.]
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:" (Jeremiah 3:14).
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NT [Christ is the one husband of God's people.]
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (II Corinthians 11:2)OT [God alone is the One to whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue swear.]
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (Isaiah 45:22-23)
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NT [The Lord Jesus Christ is the One to whom every knee should bow, and every tongue confess.]
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)OT [The LORD is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.]
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:6)
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NT [Christ Jesus is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.]
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (I Corinthians 1:30).OT [The LORD of hosts is the stone that causes men to stumble and a rock of offence.]
"Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (Isaiah 8:13-14)
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NT [Jesus Christ is the stone that causes disobedient men to stumble and a rock of offence.]
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." (I Peter 2:7-8)1.4 BY NAMES ASCRIBED TO GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
[Do the N.T. Scriptures contain names ascribed to God of which also Christ is called? Yes, there are five prime examples in the Holy Writ.]
[The Lord, the I am, is Alpha and Omega:]
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)
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[Jesus, the I am, is Alpha and Omega:]
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13)[God is the King of kings, and Lord of lords:]
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (I Timothy 6:15).
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[The Lamb is the King of kings, and Lord of lords:]
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)[God is light:]
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5)
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[Jesus is the light:]
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)[God is referred to as the Lord:]
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
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[Jesus Christ is referred to as the Lord:]
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (I Corinthians 8:6)[God is called our Saviour:]
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:4-5).
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[Jesus is called our Saviour:]
"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" (Titus 3:6).1.5 BY INFERENCE
[Are there logical reasonings in the Scriptures of the Deity of Christ? Yes, one discovers six groupings of such passages which point out that Jesus is God.]
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)
[God paid for the New Testament church with His own shed BLOOD.]"For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:3-4)
[Christ Jesus who made all things is God. See John 1:3.]"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
[In Verse 1, it is God that we are to follow. In Verse 2, Christ's love is given as the example of God we are to follow.]"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
[Again Christ in giving up His life for us is the example of God demonstrating His love to us.]"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." (Luke 17:15-18)
[When the leper, a stranger, came back to fall down at Jesus' feet and thank Him, Jesus said it was God they were glorifying.]"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
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"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (I Thessalonians 4:9)
[In the first reference, Jesus teaches us to love one another. In the second reference, it is God who has taught us to love one another.]1.6 BY THE TITLE 'THE' SON OF GOD (THE ONE AND ONLY, UNIQUE)
[Does the Bible claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the very Son of God? Yes.]
"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:3-4).
[Paul's opening words to the Romans declared Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
[Most every person religious or not has heard of this one.]"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 10:36)
[The Jews clearly understood their charge of blasphemy directed at Jesus in Verse 33. Their blood was boiling by Verse 39.]"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (I John 4:9)
[God sent His only begotten Son to manifest His love.]"And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." (Mark 3:11)
[By their testimony of falling down before Him and crying five simple words, the unclean spirits showed that Jesus is the Son of God.]"And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man [Jesus] was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39)
"Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am." (Luke 22:70)
[I have read that this form of reply is one of the most obvious ways Christ could state such a fact in those times, namely that He is the Son of God. It could not have been made more plain to the elders of the people, the chief priests and the scribes. These Jews were hard hearted. They knew exactly what Christ had claimed: 'I am Deity'.]"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." (John 5:25)
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31)
"And straightway he [Paul] preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." (Acts 9:20)
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (I John 4:15)
[Saved people will confess that the Son of God is Jesus.]"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5:5)
[Lost people must come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God in order that they might be freed from the world of sin.]"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (I John 5:12-13)
[A heart knowledge of His name can be your ticket to eternal life presently.]1.7 BY ACCUSATION
[Did the Jews refuse to believe that Jesus was God? Yes, consider my five Gospel citations.]
"Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." (John 5:18)
[The Jews seen and heard that Jesus placed Himself on the same level as God.]"Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." (John 10:32-33)
[The words of Verse 30, "I and my Father are one," did not sit well at all with the now stone carrying Jews.]"And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" (Luke 5:20-21)
[The Jews knew the Oracles of God. Sins could only be forgiven by God. Why then was Jesus now able to forgive sins? The answer is obvious and something that the Jews were not willing to believe.]"But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death." (Mark 14:61-64)
[The high priest was never ever supposed to rent his clothes. Ask any Orthodox Jew. The priest must of thought some very serious violation of the law had taken place. He was very mistaken.]"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." (John 8:58-59)
[Once again the stone throwers if you will got their ammo ready.]1.8 BY ASSOCIATION WITH OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES THAT REFER TO GOD
[Are there yet more links to the O.T. which point to the Deity of Christ? Of course.]
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him." (John 12:40-41) <-- (Compare with Isaiah 6:1,10)
[Many miracles were not able to convince the Jews of the true significance of Jesus Christ. He was the foretold Messiah.]OT [The messenger is to proceed the LORD whom you seek:]
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1)
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NT [John the Baptist referred to as the messenger, thus Jesus is the Lord whom thy seek:]
"For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:10-11)OT [A voice crieth in the wilderness to prepare the way for the LORD God:]
"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3)
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NT [That voice is John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus:]
"For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey." (Matthew 3:3-4)OT [God is the One whose words shall not pass away:]
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." (Isaiah 40:8)
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NT [Jesus is the One whose words will never pass away:]
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13:31)SECTION 2: JESUS HAS CHARACTERISTICS ASCRIBED TO GOD 2.1 CREATOR
[Is Jesus the Creator of ALL things which God is? Yes, this could mean only ONE thing: Jesus is God.]
"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:3)
[ALL things were made by Him, the Word.]"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:10)
[The Word made the world.]"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:15-16).
[God's dear Son created ALL things in Heaven and in the Earth.]"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
[The worlds were made by God's Son.]"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:" (Hebrews 1:10).
[It was God the Son's works which laid the foundation of the world in the beginning.]2.2 JUDGE OF MEN
[Is Jesus the Judge of ALL men as God is? Yes, He will be the Judge for both you and me.]
"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" (John 5:22).
[ALL judgment is the Son's responsibility.]"And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." (Acts 10:42)
[Jesus of Nazareth is ordained of God to be the Judge of the saved and lost.]"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)
[An appointed day will come in which Jesus will appear as the righteous Judge.]"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (II Timothy 4:1)
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (II Corinthians 5:10)
[The saved will be judged for their faithfulness and service by Christ's judgment seat.]2.3 ETERNAL/EVERLASTING
[Is Jesus without beginning or end as God is? Yes.]
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;" (I John 1:1).
[John wrote that Jesus is from the beginning.]"(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)" (I John 1:2).
[Eternal life is manifested in the Son Jesus Christ.]"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (I John 5:20)
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13)
[Jesus is the Beginning and the End.]2.4 OMNIPRESENT
[Is Jesus present everywhere as God is? Yes.]
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11)
[Christ is present everywhere.]"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
"(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" (Ephesians 4:9-10)
[Christ descends into the lower parts of the Earth and ascends up far above all heavens.]2.5 OMNISCIENT
[Is Jesus all knowing as God is? Yes.]
"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4).
[Jesus knew the evil that the scribes had been just thinking.]"Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him," (Luke 9:46-47).
[The disciples could not keep their unspoken thoughts secret from Jesus.]"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)
[Peter testified that Jesus knowest ALL things.]"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:" (Matthew 12:25).
[The Pharisees unknowingly share their thoughts with Christ.]"And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" (Mark 2:8).
[Jesus' spirit perceived immediately the scribes' false accusation of blasphemies among only themselves.]"But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth." (Luke 6:8)
[The scribes and Pharisees are unalert of Jesus' special power of godly knowledge.]"But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." (John 2:24-25)
[Jesus knows ALL men; He knows what is in man.]"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." (Revelation 2:23)
[This can be pretty scary to if you think about it.]2.6 OMNIPOTENT
[Is Jesus all powerful as God is? Yes.]
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)
[The Lord Jesus Christ is able to subdue ALL things.]"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:17)
[The dear Son is in control of ALL things.]"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1:3).
[The Son upholds ALL things.]"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)
[Jesus desires to draw all men unto Himself.]"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body." (John 2:19-21)
[Jesus has the power to raise Himself from the dead.]"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)
[The Son is able to give everlasting life to every one which seeth and believeth on Him.]2.7 POWER OVER DEATH
[Is Jesus able to overcome death as God can? Yes.]
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:18)
[The Son of man has the keys of hell (hades) and of death.]"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" (II Timothy 1:10).
[Christ has abolished death by bringing life and immortality.]"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." (John 8:51)
[Christ is the divine authority to keep man from death in hell.]"Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." (Acts 2:24)
[Jesus of Nazareth cannot be held by the pains of death. This is impossible.]2.8 RULER OF ALL CREATION
[Is Jesus the ruler of all creation as God is? Yes.]
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
[ALL power is given unto Jesus in Heaven and in Earth.]"He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all." (John 3:30-31)
[John the Baptist referred to Christ as above ALL.]"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church," (Ephesians 1:22).
[Christ is to be the Head over ALL things to the local church.]"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18)
[Christ Jesus is able to excel in ALL things.]"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" (Colossians 2:10).
[The Head of ALL principality and power is Christ.]"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" (Philippians 2:9).
[Christ Jesus is highly exalted and given a name above every name.]"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:1-2)
[Jesus is given power over ALL flesh.]"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:18)
2.9 WORSHIPPED
[Is Jesus to be worshipped as God alone should be? Yes.]
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)
[The wise men fell done and worshipped the Christ child.]"Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matthew 14:33)
[Peter and others worshipped the Son of God.]"And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." (Matthew 28:9)
[Jesus' disciples worshipped Him.]"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:16-18)
"And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:" (Luke 24:51-52).
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him." (John 9:35-38)
[A blind man worshipped Jesus.]"And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." (Hebrews 1:6)
[ALL the angels are allowed to worship the Son.]"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
[Every knee should bow at the name of Jesus; Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.]"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)
[ALL people, nations, and languages should serve the Son of man.]"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:12-14)
[The four and twenty elders will fall down and worship the Lamb that liveth for ever and ever.]"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." (II Thessalonians 1:9-10)
[The saints are to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.]2.10 RECEIVES PRAISE AND GLORY
[It is written that we are to give glory to God alone:]
"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:7)"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8)
[Jesus receives glory reserved for God:]
"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:6)
[Jesus Christ is to be given glory for ever and ever.]"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." (Revelation 5:12)
[Many ten thousands of angels, beasts and elders will give glory to the Lamb.]"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:13)
[Every creature is to glorify the Lamb.]"And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Revelation 7:10)
[A great multitude of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues will glorify the Lamb.]"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." (John 5:22-23)
[All men are to honour the Son.]"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (II Timothy 4:18)
[The Lord Jesus Christ is to be glorified for ever and ever.]"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (II Peter 3:18)
[The Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is to receive glory both now and for ever.]"And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." (Luke 17:16-18)
[Jesus expected to receive glory from each of the ten lepers He healed.]2.11 IS PRAYED TO
[Is Jesus to be prayed to as God alone should be? Yes.]
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60)
[Stephen cries unto the Lord Jesus in prayer.]"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)
[Ye are to ask Jesus for any thing in His name.]"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;" (I Timothy 1:12).
[Paul thanks Christ Jesus our Lord for his calling into the ministry.]2.12 UNCHANGING
[Is Jesus unchanging as God is? Yes.]
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)
"They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." (Hebrews 1:11-12)
[God the Son is not changed; He remains the same.]2.13 SINLESS
[Is Jesus without sin as God alone is? Yes.]
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" (Philippians 2:5-6).
[Christ Jesus is on the same perfect level as God.]"Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" (John 8:46).
[Jesus says of the truth that He is without sin.]"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:" (I Peter 2:22- 23).
[Peter testified that Christ did NO sin.]"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
[Although tempted (tried), the Son of God remained sinless.]"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (II Corinthians 5:21)
[Christ knew NO sin.]"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3:5)
[In Him, the Son of God, is NO sin.]"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" (Hebrews 7:26).
[Jesus is holy, undefiled and separate from sinners.]2.14 GIVER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
[Is Jesus the giver of the Holy Spirit as is God? Yes.]
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" (John 15:26).
[The Comforter, the Spirit of truth, was to be sent from the Father by Jesus.]"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)
SECTION 3: JESUS IS GOD BY COMPARING HIM WITH THE FATHER 3.1 JESUS IS EXACTLY LIKE THE FATHER
"Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." (John 8:19)
[To know Jesus is to know the Father.]"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me." (John 12:44)
[To believe on Jesus is to believe on the Father. See Verse 49.]"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (John 14:9).
[He that hath seen Jesus hath seen the Father.]"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1:3).
[The Son was the brightness of God's glory and the express image of God's person.]"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;" (John 5:26).
[As the Father has life in Himself so does the Son have life in Himself.]"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
[Eternal life was to provide knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ.]3.2 JESUS DOES THE SAME THINGS AS THE FATHER
"For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will." (John 5:21)
[The Father and the Son quickeneth.]"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ," (Galatians 1:3).
[Grace and peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.]"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." (II John 1:3)
[Mercy also comes from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father.]3.3 JESUS REIGNS IN GLORY WITH THE FATHER
"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:22-23)
[The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of the heavenly Jerusalem.]"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Revelation 22:1)
[The throne is God's and the Lamb's.]"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:" (Revelation 22:3).
"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19)
[The Lord Jesus and God are to be side by side if you will in Heaven.]"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." (Luke 22:69)
3.4 WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE BOTH THE FATHER AND THE SON TOGETHER
"Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (I John 2:23)
[To deny the Son is to acknowledge that we do not have the Father.]"He that hateth me hateth my Father also." (John 15:23)
[To hate Jesus is to hate the Father.]"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
[To abide in the doctrine of Christ is to abide with the Father and the Son.]"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." (John 3:35)
[The Father has given ALL things into the hands of the Son.]"Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." (I John 2:24)
[If we will continue in the Son we will continue in the Father.]"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)
[If a man loves Jesus he will be loved by the Father and Jesus.]SECTION 4: JESUS IS GOD BY THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP HE HAS WITH BELIEVERS 4.1 JESUS INDWELLS THEM
"At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:20)
[The Son is in the Father; The believers are in the Son; The Son is in believers.]"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27).
[Christ is in believers.]"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:25-26)
[The Father's love which the Son receives is passed on to those who have been willing to receive the Son into their heart.]"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid." (I Corinthians 6:15)
[The believers' bodies are members of Christ.]"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
[Christ lives in Paul, a believer.]"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)
[The Son's Spirit dwells in each believer.]"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10)
4.2 JESUS IS LIFE TO THEM
"As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." (John 6:57)
[Partakers of the Son of man shall live.]"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:19)
[Those who have seen Christ for what He is shall live.]"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)
[Believers have their life hid with Christ in God.]"For to me [Paul, a believer] to live [have life] is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7)
[Christ Jesus the Lord offers a whole new life of faith and thanksgiving to those who have received Him.]"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (I John 4:9)
[God's only begotten Son was sent into the world so that believers might have life in Him.]"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (I Corinthians 8:6)
[Believers live in one God, the Father, and by one Lord Jesus Christ.]"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28)
[Eternal life is given by Jesus to His sheep.]"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
[Much abundant life is available in Jesus.]4.3 JESUS IS THE CENTER AND HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THEIR LIFE
"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (II Corinthians 5:15)
[Believers which live should do so unto Christ.]"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1)
[Those risen with Christ should seek those things from above.]"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
[The believers of the faith are to look unto Jesus.]"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" (Hebrews 3:1).
[The holy brethren are to consider Christ Jesus.]"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
[Jesus expects believers to have a greater love for Him than their families of the Earth.]"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:38-39)
[Believers are to be selfless for Jesus' sake.]"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33)
[To become one of Jesus' disciples he must first come to the end of himself.]4.4 JESUS WORKS IN THEM
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
[Jesus abides in believers so that they will bring forth much fruit.]"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6)
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15:16)
[Believers will go and bring forth fruit by asking in Jesus' name.]"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
[Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for believers.]4.5 JESUS IS THEIR STRENGTH
"Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1:29)
[Christ Jesus worked mightily in Paul who is believer.]"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
[Through Christ's strengthening of Paul, he was capable to do all things.]"So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1:7- 8)
[Believers are confirmed (made stronger) unto the end by the Lord Jesus Christ.]"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12:9)
[Paul was given sufficient strength to glorify Christ even in his reality of infirmities.]4.6 CHRIST OVERSEES THEIR SOULS
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (I Peter 2:25)
4.7 JESUS GIVES REST UNTO THEIR SOULS
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
4.8 JESUS GIVES THEM PEACE AND IS HIMSELF THEIR PEACE
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
[Jesus gives and leaves peace with His believers.]"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2:14).
[Christ Jesus is the believer's peace.]"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
[Believers are to let the peace of God rule in their hearts.]4.9 JESUS LOVES THEM WITH PERFECT DIVINE LOVE
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." (John 15:9)
[The disciples are loved by Jesus' divine love.]"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," (Revelation 1:5).
[Jesus Christ proved His love for believers by washing away their sins with His own blood.]"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:35-37)
[By the love that Christ shows believers they are able to overcome much tribulation, or distress, etc.]"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)
[Believer are filled with the heavenly love of Christ.]"For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." (Ephesians 5:29-30)
[Believers are nourished and cherished by the Lord.]"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
[No greater love can be extended than when Jesus laid done His life for His friends.]"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16)
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:" (II Corinthians 5:14).
[The love of Christ constrains believers to judge that He died for all.]4.10 JESUS KNOWS THEM PERSONALLY AND THEY KNOW HIM PERSONALLY
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Philippians 3:7-8).
[Paul believed that knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord was gain.]"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
[Jesus Christ may be known by those who have received life eternal.]"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
[Jesus, the good shepherd, knows His sheep; These sheep know Him.]"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28)
[When Jesus speaks through the Word, His sheep hear and follow Him.]"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
[Jesus came that believers might have more abundant life.]"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
[Paul knew whom he had believed, namely the Saviour Jesus Christ.]4.11 JESUS LIVES IN FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20)
[Jesus will be always with the church (a local body of called out believers) unto the end of the world.]"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
[Those that will hear the voice of Jesus Christ recover His fellowship.]"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthians 1:9)
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." (I John 1:3-4)
[Believers receive the full joy of fellowship through the Father's Son, Jesus Christ.]"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" (Romans 6:8).
[Those who have become dead with Christ believe also they live with Him.]"Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him [the Lord Jesus Christ]." (I Thessalonians 5:10)
"But he [the believer] that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." (I Corinthians 6:17)
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," (Revelation 1:5).
[Jesus Christ provides a fellowship of love to believers through washing away their sins through His own blood.]4.12 JESUS FREES THEM FROM SIN
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:34-36)
[The Son frees believers from their sin.]"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:26)
[The Son Jesus was sent to turn every one from his iniquities.]"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:24-25)
[Believers are delivered from sin by Jesus Christ the Lord.]"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14)
[The peculiar people were redeemed by the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.]"And ye know that he [the Son of God] was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3:5)
4.13 THEY BELONG TO CHRIST AND ARE HIS POSSESSION
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4)
[Believers are to be married to Christ.]"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:8)
[Believers are the Lord's possession.]4.14 JESUS IS THE ONE THEY OBEY
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21)
[Believers obey out of love Jesus's commandments.]"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (John 15:10-11)
4.15 JESUS IS THE ONE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE
[Believers are to acknowledge God yet Jesus says we are to acknowledge Him.]
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me [Jesus] before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)
4.16 JESUS IS THE ONE THEY SERVE
"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:26)
[Believers are to serve and follow Jesus.]"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:24)
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Luke 4:8)
[Jesus said that the Lord God should be worshipped; He only should be served.]"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13)
[If disciples want to love Jesus they must strive to serve only God.]4.17 THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN JESUS
"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him [the Lord Jesus] shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me [Jesus]." (John 14:1)
4.18 JESUS IS THE OBJECT OF THEIR FAITH
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)
[Believers will not die in their sins because they believe that Jesus is the I am.]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou [lost sinners] shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)
"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21)
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:" (Romans 3:22).
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
[Those crucified with Christ live now by faith of the Son of God.]"For ye [believers] are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)