Page 62 - Apologetics Student Textbook (3 Credits)

few loaves of bread and two fish. He walked on water and cast out demonic hordes. Could a deluded
person who claimed to be God do these things. Absolutely not!

If Jesus was insane, then at some point or time this would have become evident to others. After all his
disciples, all down-to-earth men, followed him for three to four years and believed in what he said
(Matthew 16:13-16). And they all but John eventually died claiming Him to be the Christ, God with us.

Do we have evidence for His deity in the Bible besides His own claim?

There are a plethora of verses which clearly state that Jesus was God in human flesh. Here are just a
few:

In talking about Jesus Christ…

Colossians 1:15-17

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15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all
things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold
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together.

Again, as Creator, Jesus Christ is preeminent (firstborn = prototokos or preeminent son – vs. 15) One
who created all things whether visible or invisible. We are informed that, as God, Jesus Christ holds the
Creation together.

In a family, the preeminent son in the family was considered the firstborn son and had right to a double
portion of the family inheritance. Regardless of birth order, the preeminent son was considered the
firstborn son if he was to receive that preeminent position. Ex., Esau/Jacob, Ephraim/Manasseh,
David/brothers. Isaac/Ishmael.

If Paul wanted to communicate that Jesus was the first created being, he would have used a different
Greek word: protoktisis which means “first created.” This Greek word is never used in reference to
Christ in the Scriptures.

Colossians 1:19

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

Colossians 2:8-9

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition,

according to the elemental spiritsof the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole
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fullness of deity dwells bodily

The Greek phrase “fullness of Deity” is more literally translated, “fullness of Godhead (theotatos)”
“Fullness” in Greek = “full measure”, “completeness,” “totality,” “sum total.” Jesus is fully absolute
divinity.

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