Introduction

Jesus is recognized as the divine figure connecting both the Old and New Testaments. Let’s dive into the New Testament first and uncover its rich teachings, before we turn our attention to the profound insights found in the Old Testament later on this page.

We are using the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), but we will not depend on it to support any argument.

Referred to as God

  • Titus 2:13 - "while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
    • Interpretation: Paul declares Jesus Christ as both "great God" and "Savior," affirming His deity and role in salvation.
  • John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
    • Interpretation: The Word refers to Jesus (John 1:14), connecting to Old Testament theology of creation through God's Word.
  • John 20:28 -"Thomas responded to him, 'My Lord and my God!'"
    • Interpretation: Thomas acknowledges Jesus as both Lord and God after seeing the resurrected Christ, affirming His divinity.
  • Romans 9:5 -"The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen."
    • Interpretation: Paul highlights Jesus' dual nature as both human (descended from Israelites) and divine (God overall).
  • Hebrews 1:8 - "but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice."
    • Interpretation: God the Father addresses the Son as God, affirming Jesus' eternal kingship and divine nature.
  • 2 Peter 1:1 - "Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
    • Interpretation: Peter affirms Jesus' divine nature by describing Him as "our God and Savior."
  • 1 John 5:20-21 - "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols."
    • Interpretation: John declares Jesus Christ as the true God and eternal life, warning believers to avoid idols

Self-existent

  • John 1:2 - "He was with God in the beginning."
    • Interpretation: Affirms Jesus Christ's preexistence and eternal existence with God the Father from the beginning of creation.
  • John 8:58 - "Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”"
    • Interpretation: The phrase "I am" refers to the God of the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). The Jews who heard Him at the time understood His reference, which led them to attempt to stone Him for blasphemy. Even His enemies recognized that He claimed to be God.