The Divinity of Jesus Christ:
Overview
Question: Does the New Testament identify Jesus as God?
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Overview
The divinity of Jesus is established in the New Testament by Jesus claiming divine attributes and divine authority. In addition to this, the New Testament authors apply to Jesus the exclusive titles and descriptions of God (Jehovah) from the Old Testament. It should be noted that although Jesus is God, Jesus is not the Father and Jesus is not the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Second Person of God: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit.
The following is an overview of Jesus being identified as God in the New Testament.
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The Lord of the Sabbath: The Old Testament says that God is the Lord of the Sabbath because the Sabbath Day belongs to God (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, 31:12-17, 35:1-3 & Leviticus 23:1-3). The New Testament says that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath because the Sabbath Day belongs to Jesus (Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28 & Luke 6:1-5).
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The Judge of Humanity: The Old Testament says that God searches minds and hearts and that God is the judge of all (Genesis 18:16-33, Psalm 7:6-9, 96:13, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 & Jeremiah 11:20). The New Testament says that Jesus searches minds and hearts and that Jesus is the judge of all (Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:16-30 & Revelation 2:20-23).
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The Recipient of Prayer: The Old Testament says that the Jewish people call on the name of the LORD in prayer and worship (Genesis 4:25-26, 12:8, 13:3-4, 21:33, 26:25, Psalm 99:6-7, 116:1-4, 116:13, 116:17 & Joel 2:32). The New Testament says that Christians call on the name of Jesus in prayer and worship (John 14:13-14, Acts 9:1-22, Romans 10:9-13 & 1 Corinthians 1:1-3).
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The Walk of God: The Old Testament says that God stretches out the heavens and walks on the waves of the sea (Job 9:8-11). The New Testament says that Jesus walks on the waves of the sea (Matthew 14:22-34, Mark 6:45-53 & John 6:16-21).
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The Finger of God: The Old Testament says that the Law of Moses was written by the finger of God and that those who oppose God will be written in the dust (Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 9:7-10 & Jeremiah 17:13). The New Testament says that Jesus adjudicates the Law with his finger while writing in the dust (John 8:2-11).
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The Breath of God: The Old Testament says that God gives life by breathing life into humanity (Genesis 2:5-7). The New Testament says that Jesus gives the Holy Spirit (new life) by breathing upon the apostles (John 20:19-23).
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The First & Last: The Old Testament says that God is present with every generation because God is the First and Last (Isaiah 41:4, 44:6 & 48:12-13). The New Testament says that Jesus is present with every generation because Jesus is the First and Last (Revelation 1:17-18, 2:8 & 22:12-13).
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The Almighty Creator: The Old Testament says that all created things were created by God (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:8-11, Psalm 102:23-28 & Isaiah 48:12-13). The New Testament says that all created things were created by Jesus (John 1:1-3, 1:10, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-3 & 1:10-12).
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The Jewish Shema: The Old Testament says that Jehovah is the one God of the Jewish Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). The New Testament says that God the Father and the Lord Jesus are the one God of the Jewish Shema (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).
In summary, Jesus is God (John 1:1-3, 1:18, Acts 20:28, Romans 9:1-5, Philippians 2:5-11 & 1 John 5:20) according to the New Testament.