The Bible Says Jesus IS God!

Summary

The video discusses whether Jesus claimed to be God, addressing common objections. It highlights passages like Numbers 23:19 and Luke 18:19 that skeptics use to argue against Jesus' divinity. The speaker counters these by explaining the concept of the Incarnation, where Jesus is fully divine and human. The video also presents six lines of evidence supporting Jesus' divinity, such as Jesus being addressed as God, performing divine actions like forgiving sins, and receiving worship. These points collectively form a compelling case for Jesus being God.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus never directly calls himself God in the Bible, which raises the question of whether he ever considered himself divine.
• 📖 Old Testament verses such as Numbers 23:19 and Hosea 11:9 state that God is not a man, which some argue conflicts with the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as a man.
• 🤔 Verses like Luke 18:19, where Jesus says 'no one is good except God alone,' and John 14:28, where Jesus says 'the Father is greater than I,' are used to argue that Jesus denies being God.
• 🌍 Historian Bart Ehrman asserts that Jesus never called himself God and that his disciples didn't think he was God either.
• 🧠 The counterargument states that the Incarnation doesn't mean God's divine nature transformed into a human nature, but rather that Jesus has both a divine and human nature.
• 🙏 Jesus does not deny his divinity in Luke 18:19; instead, he challenges the rich young ruler to reflect on his statement about goodness.
• 🕊️ The claim that 'the Father is greater than I' (John 14:28) refers to the Father's role, not his divine nature, as Jesus and the Father are distinct persons within the one God.
• ⚡ Jesus applies God's divine name 'I Am' to himself in John 8, which was understood by religious leaders as a claim to divinity.
• 🔍 Jesus is addressed as God in various places, such as when Thomas calls him 'My Lord and my God' in John 20:28.
• 💡 Jesus performs actions that only God can do, such as forgiving sins in Mark 2, where the scribes accuse him of blasphemy for doing so.

Q & A

Why does the script mention Numbers 23:19 and Hosea 11:9?

These Old Testament verses are mentioned to highlight that God is not a man, which is used to argue that Jesus, being a man, cannot be God. However, the script explains that the Incarnation allows Jesus to be both fully divine and fully human.

What does the script say about Jesus' self-reference as 'the Son of Man'?

The script points out that Jesus is referred to as 'the Son of Man' in the New Testament, which is used to argue against his divinity. However, it clarifies that this does not negate his divine nature, as he is both fully human and fully divine.

How does the script interpret Jesus' statement in Luke 18:19?

The script suggests that Jesus' statement 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone' is not a denial of his divinity but a rhetorical question to the Rich Young Ruler, implying that Jesus is highlighting his divine nature.

What is the significance of Jesus saying 'my Father is greater than I' in John 14:28?

The script explains that this statement does not imply that the Father is greater in divinity but rather in role within the Trinity, as they are distinct persons within the one Godhead.

Who is Bart Airman and what is his view on Jesus' divinity?

Bart Airman is a historian who was once an Evangelical Christian. He believed that Jesus did not call himself God and his disciples did not consider him as God, suggesting that if Jesus were God, it would be explicitly stated in the Bible.

What is the Incarnation and how does it relate to Jesus' nature?

The Incarnation refers to the Christian doctrine that Jesus, while remaining fully God, took on human nature. The script explains that Jesus' divine nature did not transform into human nature but added to it.

How does the script address the argument that Jesus never directly calls himself God?

The script counters this by pointing out that Jesus does claim to be God in John 8, using the phrase 'I am' which is laden with theological significance and equates him with God.

What is the significance of Thomas calling Jesus 'my Lord and my God'?

This is significant because it shows that Jesus was recognized as God by his disciples. The script suggests that this is one of the pieces of evidence for Jesus' divinity.

How does the script justify Jesus performing activities typically attributed to God?

The script mentions that Jesus forgives sins, an act that only God can do, and that this is one of the activities that supports the belief in Jesus' divinity.

What does the script say about Jesus receiving worship?

The script notes that Jesus is worshiped on multiple occasions, which is an act reserved for God, further supporting the argument for his divinity.

How does the script use the titles and attributes of God to argue for Jesus' divinity?

The script points out that Jesus is given divine titles from the Old Testament and is described with attributes of God, such as being eternal and unchanging, which collectively present a compelling case for his deity.