Is Jesus Deity?

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Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 start off identically, "In the beginning..." After that Genesis continues, "God created the heavens and the earth." John continues, "In the beginning was the Word" (Greek Logos). The word Logos theologically is a title of Jesus Christ unlike the Greeks definition of the logos which to them simply means: word, discourse or reason, a divine intelligence. Jesus is the Word of God, the Logos personified. 

Its essential I compare the two references; Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 because what John proves is that the Word is preexistent, God in the flesh, and the Creator of the universe. John 1:1-4 reads:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men

The phrase the Word was with God ( pros ton theon) depicts a close intimate relationship with the Father. The English language does not capture the intensity of the perfect relationship between the Father and Son. The phrase the Word was God is extremely important. In the Greek it is: theos en ho logos. The word was is in the imperfect tense. This refers to continuous or linear action in past time.  What this means is that the Greek verb eimi (was) describes the Word's eternal existence, before the beginning of time. Jesus is and has always been the second person in the Trinity.

Proving that Jesus is more than just divine, but rather He is deity, it should be logical to believe that He is the Creator and sustainer of all things (John 1:3). 

In Colossians 1:15-18 we read, "He (Christ) 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 (emphasis added). And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in every thing He might be preeminent."

Two words need to be defined here. 1) Image: Greek is eikon. This means Jesus is the same essence as the Father. 2) Firstborn: Greek is prototokos. This is a compound word. Proto means first. The second Greek word is tikto which means to beget or bring forth. So firstborn in this context is making reference to Jesus as a being first and preeminent above all things since He is the creator and sustainer of all things.

Texts that also prove Jesus is God

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a child is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah made this prophecy approximately seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

John 8:58-59 - Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Before Abraham was I AM." The Pharisees knew what Jesus was claiming; that He was the voice of the burning bush (Exodus 3:14); deity so they picked up stones to kill Him, but He was able to escape their threats for it wasn't time for Him to die yet.

The letter "I" is where we get the word ego which is a emphatic personal pronoun (epn) The emphasis is being placed on the person; in this case the Lord Jesus.  AM is the Greek word eimi which means to exist. In English we would use the verb "to be". AM is in the present indicative (pin). The present indicative asserts something is occurring in the present continuously. In essence Jesus was saying before Abraham was born, I was always here.

John 20:29 - When Thomas touched the resurrected Lord's hands and put His hand into His side he said, "My Lord and my God."

Titus 2:13 - while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:9 - Your throne O God, is forever and ever, and the sceptor of your kingdom is a sceptor justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.

In the above verse God the Father calls the Son God - twice! This text along with all the ones I have cited prove Jesus is indeed God in the flesh. He was in eternity past, He was during His first advent, and will be when He returns the second and final time to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

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