Page 22 - Christology - Student Textbook

Study Section 5: Ascription of God’s Attributes to Jesus Christ

5.1. Connect

In the Old Testament, “the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses” (Deut. 17:6 [ESV])
was valid confirmation and was sufficient to confirm a penalty. Matthew applies that verse to
a brother who sins against another brother (Matt 18:16 [LEB]). Jesus claimed to be the light of
the world and the Pharisees challenged the legitimacy of His testimony. To them, He was the
only one who appeared to have been validating His testimony. But Jesus appealed to their law
by citing that the Father also was a witness (John 8:12-18).

Not only did Jesus claim to be deity, but various attributes that He demonstrated to others verified
His words. Join me as we look at God’s attributes ascribed to Jesus.

5.2. Objectives.

1. The student should be able to discuss passages in the Bible that reveal God’s attributes
ascribed to Jesus.

2. The student should be able to explain how these passages refute those who deny the
historicity of Jesus Christ.

5.3. God’s Attributes seen in Jesus Christ

Pre-existence and Eternality
In Isaiah 7—9, there is a narrative which is addressed to Judah, Israel, and Syria and their
respective kings. Isaiah concentrates on Ahaz’s faithlessness and lack of fear for Yahweh.
Israel and Syria made an alliance whose aim was to attack, tear, and divide Judah and make
the son of Tabeel king over it (7:1, 6). The Lord promised that was not going to take place because
both Samaria (Israel) and Damascus (Syria) would be shattered (7:7-9). Ahaz needed to
demonstrate his trust in Yahweh by abandoning his plan to send a large sum of money to the
Assyrian emperor (Isa 7:9b; cf. 2 Kings 16:7-9; 2 Chr. 28:21b).

Ahaz was given an opportunity to demonstrate his trust
and reliance in God by asking for a sign. God gave him a
sign. Elements of that sign are a child who would deliver
all men from bondage. We see that Ahaz received God’s
punishment because of his trust in the Assyrians instead
of God (7:16). God’s deliverer will not be just a child,
but God (9:6-7) Himself.

In Isaiah 7:14, the sign was “God with us (Immanuel).”
This child is not an ordinary child because He is God with
us. Matthew’s quotation of Isaiah 7:14 as the fulfillment of Jesus’ birth validates that the child was
God. Jesus was and is from eternity to eternity, God.

The extraordinary child could deliver not only earthly foes but could deliver all men from God’s
coming wrath. He is the “Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” there is no end to “the greatness of
his government and peace,” and He was going to reign with “justice and righteousness . . .forever”

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