JESUS IS GOD: A Theological and Biblical Defense of Christ’s Sovereignty
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Introduction
The Christian confession that Jesus is God stands at the very heart of biblical revelation and Christian theology. From the earliest creeds of the church to the theological reflections of modern scholars, the deity of Christ has been the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:15–16, provides one of the clearest declarations of Christ’s divine sovereignty: “He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen” (CSB).
This passage encapsulates the majesty and deity of Jesus Christ, affirming that He is the sovereign ruler of the cosmos, the eternal source of life, and the one deserving of all worship. This article explores the biblical, theological, and historical basis for the claim that Jesus is God, while also addressing objections from skeptical and non-Christian perspectives.
Exegesis of 1 Timothy 6:15–16
Paul’s doxological proclamation provides several critical affirmations:
The Only Sovereign (ho makarios kai monos dynastēs)
Jesus is identified not as one among many rulers but as the sole sovereign. In Greco-Roman political language, sovereignty was reserved for emperors. By applying this title to Christ, Paul elevates Him above every earthly authority.The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
These titles echo Old Testament designations of Yahweh (cf. Deut. 10:17; Ps. 136:3; Dan. 2:47). By applying them to Jesus, Paul affirms Christ’s full participation in the divine identity of Israel’s God.Immortality and Unapproachable Light
Jesus is said to alone possess immortality and dwell in unapproachable light, attributes reserved exclusively for God. This echoes John’s Gospel, which describes Jesus as the true Light (John 1:9) and as the possessor of life in Himself (John 5:26).Worthy of Honor and Eternal Power
Paul concludes with a doxology directed toward Christ, showing that worship belongs to Him as God. In Jewish monotheism, worship was due only to Yahweh; for Paul, the worship of Jesus is fully consistent with faith in the one true God.
Jesus as God in Broader Biblical Witness
The deity of Christ is consistently affirmed across the New Testament:
John 1:1–3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Colossians 1:15–17: Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the agent of creation.
Hebrews 1:3: Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature.
Revelation 19:16: Jesus is again called King of kings and Lord of lords, affirming His eschatological supremacy.
Together, these passages show that Jesus is not merely a prophet, teacher, or exalted being but God Himself in the flesh.
Theological Implications
Christ’s Sovereignty Over All Powers
As King of kings, Jesus rules not only over human authorities but over principalities, powers, and cosmic forces (Eph. 1:21). His sovereignty dismantles any human claim to ultimate authority.The Unique Mediator
Because Jesus is God, He alone can mediate between God and humanity (1 Tim. 2:5–6). His divine nature ensures the efficacy of His atonement and the permanence of salvation.Worship and Devotion
The worship of Jesus as God is central to Christian liturgy, prayer, and devotion. As Thomas declared: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), so the church throughout history has confessed Christ’s deity.
Responding to Skeptical and Islamic Objections
Skeptics often argue that the New Testament does not explicitly call Jesus “God.” However, passages such as John 1:1, Titus 2:13, and Hebrews 1:8–9 directly do so. Others claim that worship of Jesus contradicts monotheism, but the New Testament authors, steeped in Jewish monotheism, saw Jesus as included in the divine identity without abandoning the oneness of God.
Islam, in particular, denies the divinity of Jesus, reducing Him to a prophet. The Qur’an (Q. 5:72) explicitly denies that Jesus is God. Yet, this view fails to account for the earliest Christian witness, which unanimously confessed Jesus as Lord and God. Furthermore, Islamic arguments often conflate Christian monotheism with polytheism, misunderstanding the doctrine of the Trinity. Christianity does not teach three gods but one God in three persons, with Jesus fully participating in the divine essence.
Conclusion
The testimony of Scripture, the witness of the early church, and the theological coherence of Christian doctrine affirm the truth: Jesus is God. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the immortal Light, the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all. To Him belong honor, glory, and eternal power. Any denial of His deity undermines the very heart of the gospel.
As the apostle Paul affirms, and as the church has proclaimed throughout the ages, worship belongs to Christ alone—for Jesus is God.
References
The Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible (CSB).
Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament’s Christology of Divine Identity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Hurtado, Larry W. Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
Oden, Thomas C. Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology. New York: HarperOne, 1992.
Wright, N. T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
✍️ Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
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