Does the Bible support the popular belief in the divinity of Jesus ? We shall address the question: What does the Bible say about the divinity of Jesus Christ ? 1. Begotten The Bible: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Greek Words Below is a copy of the response received from The George Washington University: John 3:16 and John 1:18 each have the word monogenes in Greek. This word ordinarily means of a single kind. As a result, unique is a good translation. The reason you sometimes find a translation that renders the word as only begotten has to do with an ancient heresy within the church. In response to the Arian claim that Jesus was made but not begotten, Jerome (4th century) translated the Greek term monogenes into Latin as unigenitus (only begotten). (Paul B. Duff, 22 April, 1992) Professor Duffs response was based upon Anchor Bible, volume 29, page 13-14. The Greek term for begotten is gennao as found in (Mathew 1:2), which John did not use. The Only Begotten ? Is Jesus the only begotten son ? We read in the Bible God said to David, You are my son today I have begotten you (Psalm 2:7) 2. One Jesus said: I and the Father are one (John 10:30) The word one does not have to mean co-equal in status. If one wishes to argue that the word one supports their claim for Jesus being co-equal in status with his Father, consider the following: Jesus said: I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. (John 14:28). Jesus said: Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:16). During his ministry, Jesus repeatedly said he was sent by his Father. Jesus said to Mary: ...go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father... (John 20:17). This verse demonstrates that the usage of term Father was purely metaphorical. As for Jesus being a unique son, he, unlike us, was created without a physical Father. ...Thy holy Servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint,... (Acts 4:27 - New American Standard Bible). This leaves no room for doubt that Jesus was a Servant of God and anointed by Him. There are other verses which declare Jesus as Gods Servant. 3. Worship Jesus said; Not every one that says to me; Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven. (Mt.7:21). Apostle Mark records in (10:17-18) And as he (Jesus) was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to him and knelt before him and began asking him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit the eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. It sounds inharmonious and inconsistent that a person who even refuses to be called good could have allowed any one to worship him. Since, no one is good except God alone, should not Christians be worshipping directly to that solitary God to whom Jesus himself prayed more than a dozen times, according to the Gospels? When Jews were doubtful about the identity of a particular blind beggar who had been healed by Jesus, the blind beggar - who was no more blind, kept saying; I am he (John 9:9, K.J.V.). Further more, the beggar when questioned about Jesus who had healed him, replied to Jews: And he said, He is a prophet. (John 9:17). In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus fell on his face and prayed, saying: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. (Mathew 26:39). All the prophets, including Jesus used to fall on their faces like we Muslims do, while praying. See; Abraham (Genesis 17:3); Job (Job 1:20); Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:22); Jesus (Mathew 26:39).
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:32:49 +0000
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