THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, AND HIS NAME IS JESUS
A Biblical Examination of the Full Deity of Jesus Christ
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
The identity of Jesus Christ stands at the center of Christian theology. Every major doctrine of Christianity—including salvation, worship, and the knowledge of God—depends upon the answer to one question: Who is Jesus?
The Scriptures consistently affirm that there is only one true God. This truth was foundational to Israel's faith and remains the cornerstone of biblical Christianity. Yet the New Testament reveals that this one God entered human history through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
This article examines the biblical evidence demonstrating that Jesus Christ is not merely a prophet, angel, or created being, but the one true God manifested in the flesh.
The Bible Declares There Is Only One God
Biblical monotheism is absolute.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."
(Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV)
This declaration, known as the Shema, rejects every form of polytheism and establishes that God is one.
Isaiah repeatedly emphasizes this truth.
"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me."
(Isaiah 45:5)
Again,
"Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."
(Isaiah 43:10)
And,
"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."
(Isaiah 43:11)
If there is only one Savior, and the New Testament identifies Jesus as Savior, then Jesus shares the divine identity of Yahweh.
The Messiah Is Called "The Mighty God"
Centuries before Christ's birth, Isaiah prophesied:
"For unto us a child is born... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)
The promised child is explicitly called:
The Mighty God
Everlasting Father
These are divine titles, not merely honorary descriptions. Isaiah presents the Messiah as fully divine while also truly human.
The Word Was God
John begins his Gospel by identifying Jesus as the eternal Word.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
(John 1:1)
John continues:
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."
(John 1:14)
The eternal God did not cease being God when He became man. Rather, He took on genuine humanity without surrendering His divine nature.
The incarnation is not God sending someone else. It is God Himself entering history to redeem humanity.
Jesus Revealed the Father
When Philip requested:
"Lord, shew us the Father."
Jesus answered:
"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."
(John 14:9)
Jesus did not direct Philip to another visible divine person. Instead, He declared that seeing Him was seeing the Father revealed.
Likewise He stated:
"I and my Father are one."
(John 10:30)
Jesus reveals the invisible God.
The Fullness of God Dwells in Christ
Paul provides one of Scripture's clearest declarations concerning Christ's deity.
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
(Colossians 2:9)
Notice Paul's language carefully.
He does not say Christ possesses part of the Godhead.
He does not say Christ reflects divine qualities.
He declares that all the fullness of deity dwells bodily in Jesus Christ.
The incarnate Christ is the complete revelation of God.
God Was Manifest in the Flesh
Paul summarizes the mystery of the incarnation:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..."
(1 Timothy 3:16)
Christianity is founded upon this extraordinary truth.
God did not merely inspire a prophet.
God did not merely send an angel.
God Himself was manifested in human flesh.
Jesus Possesses the Divine Name
Throughout Scripture, God's saving name is revealed in Jesus.
The angel announced:
"Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
(Matthew 1:21)
The name Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua) means "Yahweh saves."
Peter boldly proclaimed:
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
(Acts 4:12)
The exclusive saving power belongs to Jesus because He is the incarnate God.
Jesus Received Worship Reserved for God
Throughout Scripture, faithful servants refused worship.
Angels refused worship (Revelation 22:8–9).
The apostles refused worship (Acts 10:25–26).
Yet Jesus repeatedly accepted worship.
Matthew 14:33
Matthew 28:9
John 9:38
Hebrews 1:6
If worship belongs only to God (Exodus 20:3–5; Matthew 4:10), Christ's acceptance of worship demonstrates His divine identity.
The Testimony of the Apostles
Thomas confessed after the resurrection:
"My Lord and my God."
(John 20:28)
Jesus did not correct him.
Paul wrote:
"...Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
(Romans 9:5)
Titus declares:
"...the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
(Titus 2:13)
The apostolic witness consistently presents Jesus as fully divine.
Salvation Depends Upon the Identity of Christ
The gospel is not merely about believing certain historical facts.
It is about trusting the person of Jesus Christ.
Only God could perfectly reveal God.
Only God could bear the infinite penalty of sin.
Only God could conquer death.
Only God could offer eternal life.
Because Jesus is truly God and truly man, His atoning sacrifice possesses infinite value.
Conclusion
The testimony of Scripture presents a unified witness:
There is only one God.
That one God became flesh.
Jesus Christ is the visible revelation of the invisible God.
In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
There is no other Savior.
There is no other name by which humanity must be saved.
The Christian confession is therefore centered upon Jesus Christ—the incarnate Lord who died for our sins, rose again, and reigns forever.
The invitation of the gospel remains open to all:
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:10–11, KJV)
May every reader carefully examine the Scriptures, seek the truth with humility, and place their faith in Jesus Christ, who alone is able to save.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
No comments:
Post a Comment