During a recent study, the question was asked: "Is Yeshua G-d?"
Some involved immediately responded, "Yes, He is!"
Others immediately retorted, "No, He is not!"
We at Psalm11918.org can see both sides of the argument. However, there are some compelling points from Scripture that make it clear:
the Messiah Yeshua is indeed, G-d.
We are quick to note that Messiah's body is not G-d because at some point that flesh did not exist, and yet G-d has always existed. At some point, His flesh died but G-d cannot die: He is eternal. As He grew and matured, Messiah's flesh changed, and yet G-d never changes. Early believers created a phrase to describe the unity of an eternal, unchanging G-d with a finite, changing man: hypostatic union. Yeshua is the union of the Spirit and soul of the eternal G-d with the flesh of a man.
Our personal opinions and descriptions not withstanding, consider these observations from Scripture:
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G-d [אלהים, Elohim] is the Creator. |
Yeshua is the Creator. (Colossians 1:16) |
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G-d [י-ה-ו-ה, Y-H-V-H] is the First and the Last. |
Yeshua is the First and the Last. |
| G-d is the giver of life. (Deuteronomy 32:39) |
Yeshua gives Himself life in the resurrection. (John 2:19) |
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G-d is called "Mighty G-d". |
Yeshua is called "Mighty G-d". [האל הגדול , El Gibbor] (Isaiah 9:6) |
| G-d declares He is the "I AM". (Exodus 3:14) |
Yeshua declares He is the "I AM". (John 8:58) |
| G-d never changes. (Malachi 3:6) |
Yeshua never changes. (Hebrews 13:8) |
| G-d is from everlasting. (Psalm 93:1-2) |
Yeshua is from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 NKJV) |
| G-d is the only Savior. (Isaiah 43:11) |
Yeshua is the only Savior. (Luke 2:11, John 4:42, Titus 1:4) |
| G-d is Redeemer. (Isaiah 63:16) |
Yeshua is Redeemer. (Titus 2:13-14) |
| G-d is the Judge of the earth. (Genesis 18:25, Psalm 94:1-2) |
Yeshua is the Judge of the earth. (John 5:22) |
| G-d forgives sins. (Psalm 103:2-3, Mark 2:7) |
Yeshua forgives sins. (Mark 2:5) |
| G-d is worshiped by angels. (Revelation 7:11) |
Yeshua is worshiped by angels. (Hebrews 1:6) |
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G-d alone is glorified. |
Yeshua is glorified by G-d. (John 17:5, John 5:23, Hebrews 1:8) |
Yeshua's Disciples Declare He is G-d
Yochanan, in his gospel account, begins with the declaration "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with G-d, and the Word was G-d." (John 1:1)
The "Word" is G-d. This is a plain statement. A = B.
He goes on to state that the Word became flesh and dwelt among men. (John 1:14) The Word/G-d took on flesh (Yeshua's body) and dwelt among men.
In his first epistle, Yochanan declares that the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are one. (1 John 5:7-8)
Thomas
Thomas declares that Yeshua is "my Lord and my G-d" in John 20:28.
There is no evidence in Scripture that Yeshua corrected his statement nor do any of the other disciples question it.
Paul Declares Yeshua is G-d
Paul declares that Yeshua exists in the form of G-d (Philippians 2:6) and that G-d was manifested in the flesh of Yeshua. (1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)
Yeshua Declares He is G-d
Yeshua makes at least three statements that He is G-d.
In John 8:58 Yeshua declares that He is "I AM" taking on Himself the label that G-d used for Himself in Exodus 3:14. Yeshua's contemporaries knew He was claiming to be G-d because they took up stones with which to stone Him. If they thought He was an idiot babbling something irrelevant they would not have tried to stone Him... they would have ignored Him.
In John 10:30 Yeshua makes the declaration that "I am the Father are one." Again, Yeshua's contemporaries understand that He is claiming to be G-d and again they take up stones with which to stone Him. They make it plain in their declaration "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (John 10:33)
In Matthew 28:19, Yeshua commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In doing so, He brings "the Son" (Himself) into a parallel position and equal authority with "the Father" (G-d) and "the Holy Spirit" (G-d).
G-d Declares Yeshua is G-d
G-d bestows upon Messiah the name of Yeshua which is above every name. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Does that mean that Yeshua's name is above G-d's special holy name, YHVH? It appears so for Yeshua is the "name which is above every name".
Unless G-d is committing idolatry and exalting His creation above Himself, then Yeshua must be G-d. It is not idolatry if G-d gives to Himself the name which is above every name. It is entirely fitting and appropriate!
What Scripture Says About G-d
Here are some observations from Scripture about G-d:
G-d has a voice
G-d spoke to Adam and Chavah, and they heard His voice. (Genesis 2:16-17)
G-d spoke to the children of Isra'el at Mt Sinai, and they heard His voice. (Deuteronomy 4:12, 33, 5:23-26)
G-d spoke to Moshe, and he heard His voice. (Numbers 7:89)
G-d has appeared to mankind in various ways
The LORD G-d appeared to Moshe as a burning bush (Exodus 3:4).
The LORD appeared as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night as He went before the Israelites (Exodus 13:21).
Moshe, Aharon, Nadav, Avihu, and seventy elders saw the G-d of Isra'el [Hebrew: אלהי ישׂראל, Elohei Yisrael] (Exodus 24:10-11).
G-d has feet
Beneath G-d's feet was a pavement like sapphire. (Exodus 24:10)
G-d walks in the midst of the camp of Israel. (Deuteronomy 23:14)
G-d appeared on Mt Sinai with thick darkness under His feet. (Psalm 18:9)
When G-d returns "His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives". (Zechariah 14:4)
G-d has an image
G-d created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27).
G-d is conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
G-d is not a man
G-d is not a man or a son of man (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Job 9:32). It is from these passages that we know that Messiah's flesh is not G-d. It also points to the requirement of a virgin birth: Yeshua is not the son of the union of a man and a woman. He is the "second Adam" created entirely sinlessly and yet born of woman.
G-d's has a Spirit
G-d has a Spirit [Hebrew: ורוח אלהים, Ruach Elohim] (Genesis 1:2).
Yeshua says that G-d, the Father, is Spirit (John 4:23-24).
G-d has a soul
G-d has a soul [Hebrew: נפּשׁ, nephesh] (Leviticus 26:11).
No man can see G-d and live
The LORD declares that man cannot see G-d's face and live (Exodus 33:20).
The disciple Yochanan observed that no man has seen G-d at any time (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12).
It is from these passages that we affirm that the flesh of Messiah (which was seen) is not G-d.
What Scripture Says About Yeshua
Yeshua is "G-d With Us".
Yeshua is Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). This is often translated as "G-d with us" but the Hebrew word literally declares "with us is G-d".
Yeshua is the Son of G-d.
Numerous passages of Scriptures refer to Yeshua as "the son of G-d" (Matthew 8:29, 27:43, Mark 1:1, etc).
Messiah's flesh is not G-d (as we noted above). In as much as His flesh is a part of creation then, yes, that flesh is the Son, the "offspring", the creation of G-d. Adam is also called "the son of G-d" (Luke 3:38). Adam's flesh was created by G-d, and so he was the son of G-d. Messiah's flesh was created and so he, too, was the Son of G-d: the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15).