Monday, March 07, 2005

Deity of Christ

I know that I have posted 31 Scriptures that show the Deity of Christ and that I said that would be all, but this is all over Scripture. In the past month I've found three more (that I can remember) that show this truth so clearly. Here they are:
Acts 20:28 [Paul is speaking to the elders at Ephesus, warning them of what is ahead for himself and for them; he says to them:] "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." This is completely Trinitarian right here. The Holy Spirit "made you overseers" of what belongs to God (1.)unless the Spirit is God, He has no right to do this, and 2.) the Spirit is shown to be distinct here from God (the Father?) in some capacity). Next notice that Paul calls "the flock" "the church of God", not "the church of Christ." This "church of God" is the one that "He" (God is the only possible antecedent here accept the Holy Spirit, which would be absolutely ridiculous to make the antecedent since 1.) the Spirit could not possibly die, and 2.) the Spirit is not the closest, and therefore the most logical antecedent), purchased with His own blood. Now, God the Father is not flesh and blood (John 4:24), so He could not have "purchased [the church] with His own blood." It is known, and obvious, that Christ is the One who purchased the Church with His own blood. Therefore, it is clear that Paul here is calling Christ Jesus, God.
Isaiah 25:6-9 "The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; a banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, and refined, aged wine. And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Now, I am not here going to discuss any of the fulfillment of this prophecy, but rather I will briefly show how this verse is showing the deity of Jesus Christ.
First, the hill that is being spoken of here is Zion, a.k.a., Jerusalem, the Temple Mount. This is Mount Mariah, unon which Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac, but stopped by the Angel of the LORD from doing so--"In the mount of the LORD it will be provided" (Genesis 22:14, speaking in the Divine passive- In the mount of the LORD, the LORD will provide the sacrifice). This is the city, and the hill, upon which Jesus was crucified (though outside of the city).
Now, we know, looking back with a New Testament perspective, that Jesus is the one who swallowed "up the covering which is over all peoples, even te veil which is stretched over all nations" (death (and sin would fit as well), as is explicit in v. 8) (v. 7), Jesus is the one who swallowed "up death for all time" and has removed "the reproach of His people from all the earth" (Jesus took away the sin of His people) (v. 8), and Jesus is the one "whom we have waited that He might save us," He is "the LORD for whom we have waited" who has brought us "His salvation" (v. 9). Clearly Jesus is the one who is "the LORD" (YHWH) here.
Galatians 3:20 "Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one."
This verse is confusing unless you get the point. For this we must consider what is being said from 3:15 on. Paul is showing that the covenant of God stands firm--the covenant with Abraham. This covenant has been given to Abraham and "his seed", that is his singular "Seed", or Christ (v. 16). The Law, did not invalidate this covenant and nullify the promise--the promise to the Seed is in effect until it is absolutely fulfilled (witht he coming of the Seed=Christ). The Law came because of transgressions through angels by "the agency of a mediator"--the mediator is Moses. The Law was given "until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made" (v. 19). The "Seed" to whom the promise had been made in Jesus Christ. So when He came (pay close attention here as we move into verse 20) a mediator was no longer necessary because the covenant was ratified between one party. Who is that one party? God. "Now a mediator [a second Moses] is not for one party only; whereas God is only one." God is a single party. Paul here is saying that the covenant is between the Seed and God, and that the Seed and God are "one". A mediator is not necessary because the two parties involved are actually the same party. God the Father is making a covenant with God the Son--God does not need a mediator between Himself.

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