Jesus is God Matthew 16:13-15 ...Who do you say that I am? This is the most important question for us. Our answer that will determine our fate for eternity. Many want to say he was just a good man. Islamic religion says he was a prophet. JW's teach He was the first created being and through Him all other things were created. We must examine the claims - There are many false prophets (1 John 4:1), False Wit nesses JW's Deny the Trinity Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! They teach that Jehovah is God, the Spirit is His active force, and Jesus is a created Being. Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 1:5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Man is in the Image of God Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. Man was not made in the image of a created being but in the image of God When we baptize in name of God, is it a Created being or active force? Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Grace of Created being, Communion of active force? 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Man is three parts that make up one person, God is three parts that make up one. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John Was Written to Show Who Jesus Is John 20:30-31 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. "Son" does not mean a birth or creation when applied to Jesus. It describes a relationship. Jesus never said "Our Father" except when teaching the disciples how to pray. He always said "My Father" when talking of His relationship to God or "Your Father" when referring to other people's relationship. He is the "Only begotten Son". Son is what the Father is. A human father has human son. Son of God is God. John 1:1 - The Word was God JW's teach "a god". They claim only Jehovah is the true God. If so, then all other gods are false Gods. Is the Word a false god? Deuteronomy 32:39 Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; Isaiah 43:10 Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. Isaiah 44:8 ...Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. There is no such thing as a greater God and lesser God in the Bible. John 1:3 - Jesus Created All JW's try to get out of this by saying the Father used the Son as a workman to help Him create. Like an engineer who claims "I built that bridge," yet he had help. The Engineer would not say "I alone built the bridge." Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jeho vah, that makes all things; that stretches forth the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth (who is with me?) John 1:3 ...without Him [Jesus] nothing was made that was made. If Jesus was made, did he make himself? Colossians 1:16 For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. KJV John 2:24 - Jesus Knew the Hearts of Men What would this mean to the Jews first reading the book of John? THEY KNEW ONLY GOD CAN KNOW THE HEARTS OF MEN! 1 Kings 8:39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You, only You, know the hearts of all the sons of men) Matthew 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? John 5:17-19 - Jesus Claimed to do the Same Works as God A.T. Robertson Word Pictures of the N.T. Jesus distinctly says, "My Father" (ho pater mou) Not "our Father" Jesus puts His work on the same level as God's activity and thus justifies his healing on the Sabbath. The Jews did not refer to God as "My Father". If they did, they would qualify the state ment with "in heaven." Jesus did not do this. He made a claim that the Jews would not misinterpret by calling God "My Father". John 5:22-23 - Jesus Claimed the Same Honor as Due to the Father It would be blasphemy for any creature to claim the same honor as the Eternal Father. A. Jesus Accepted Worship Matthew 8:2 And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Matthew 9:18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live. Hebrews 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: Let all the angels of God worship Him. This refers to Psalms 97:7, (97:1 - Context = Jehovah) B. Compare the Attitude of Others When They Were Worshipped Acts 10:25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I myself am also a man. Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! C. The Father and the Son Receive the Same Worship Revelation 4:10-11 24 elders... worship Him... saying: 11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power... LAMB - Revelation 5:11-12, BOTH - Revelation 5:13 John 8:12 - Jesus is Light What would the Jews think of this claim? Isaiah 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord [Jehovah] shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. John 8:58 - "I Am" New World Trans. - "Before Abraham was, I have been". (deceiving and being deceived and strong delusion) Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming. This prompted them to take up stones to fulfill the Law by stoning the blasphemer. Lev 24:16 Jesus never did try to explain He meant something different. John 10:11, 14, 16 - Jesus is the One Shepherd Psalms 23:1 The Lord (Jehovah) is my shepherd; I shall not want. John 10:30-33 - Jesus Claimed to be One With God One (hen) neuter, not masculine (heis) Not one person but one in essence or nature JW's - Jesus claimed to be in complete agreement and purpose with Jehovah. All the prophets could have said this. The Jews had no doubt what Jesus was claiming. If they misunderstood, why did He not try to correct them? A. Mighty God Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jeremiah 32:18 who shows lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompenses the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them; the great, the mighty God, Jehovah of hosts is his name; B. Everlasting Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his under standing. Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. If His goings forth have been from everlasting, when was He created? C. God is Our Judge, Lawgiver and King Isaiah 33:22 For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king; he will save us. Jesus is our Judge John 5:22 For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son; Jesus is our Lawgiver - "I say unto you..." Mat 5:20, 22, 26, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44 Jesus taught in His own name. In doing so, He elevated His words up to be equal with God. Instead of like the prophets who said "Thus says the Lord"... He said "I say unto you". Jesus is our King Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. (John 18:37 - Are you a King?) D. Lord of Lords Deuteronomy 10:17 For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible... Jesus is Lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, 19:16 E. Savior Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no savior. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. F. Redeemer Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us... G. The First and the Last Isaiah 44:6 Thus says Jehovah, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His [Jesus] feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. Revelation 2:8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: H. Righteous Isaiah 45:24 Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all they that were incensed against him shall be put to shame. 1 Corinthians But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteous ness and sanctification, and redemption: I. Jesus Claimed to Have the Ability to Forgive Sins - Matthew 9:1-6 Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not re member your sins. We may forgive sins committed against us, but only God can forgive sins committed against Him. J. Power Over Nature Matthew 8:27 And the men marveled, saying, Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? Psalms 89:8-9 O Jehovah God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee. 9 Thou rule the pride of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. K. Holy One Habakkuk 1:12 Art not thou from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? (this title is used many times in O.T.) Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested. Mark 1:24 ...What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God! Acts 3:14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (compare Acts 2:27 to Psalms 16:10) L. All Will Bow Before Jesus - Phil 2:9-11 Isaiah 45:22-23 Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. John 16:15 - Jesus Claimed to Possess All the Father Had The same attributes, power, both almighty, both everlasting God, Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority (power KJV) has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Would a creature be given the same power a God? John 17:1, 5 - Jesus Claimed the Glory of the Father Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another... (Isaiah 48:11) John 20:27-28 - Jesus Allowed Others to Call Him Their God Why was not Thomas corrected? Thomas is rebuked for his unbelief, not for his belief Thomas raised in belief of one true God. If Jesus is not God, Thomas would be guilty of Idolatry and Jesus would be guilty of receiving false worship. JW's Thomas was so surprised at seeing Jesus he burst out an exclamation "My Lord and My God!" Like many today say "My God" In other words, Thomas got so excited he took the Lord's name in vain. Thomas said unto Him... He said this to Jesus. Not an exclamation. Matthew 13:14-15 - Jesus Claimed to be Jehovah Isaiah 6:3,5 - "Jehovah" 6:8 "Adonay" - the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) Isaiah 6:8-10 Matthew 3:1-3 - John the Baptist Prepared the Way for Jehovah Isaiah 40:3-4 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord (Jehovah); make straight in the desert a highway for our God. :4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth; The Father Calls the Son "God" Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. Why would God do this after all His claims of there being no other God? 1 John 5:20 - Jesus is the True God NWT "And we are in union with the true one, by means of his son Jesus Christ, This is the true God and life everlasting". 1 John 5:20 Claim the true one is God the Father He is the eternal life. Let the Scriptures interpret themselves - 1 John 1:1-2 plainly says the eternal life is the Son It is Wrong to Serve Other Gods 2 Kings 17:35 with whom Jehovah had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Stone of Stumbling Isaiah 8:12-15 Do not say, `A conspiracy,' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. 13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. 14 He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken." 1 Peter 2:6-8 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Romans 9:31-33 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Hallow the Lord of Hosts (Jehovah) Isaiah 8:13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. Sanctify Christ as Lord (Hallow - sanctify) 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Colossians 2:8-9 - In Jesus Dwells the Fullness of the Godhead "Godhead" from "Theotetos" literally means Deity JW's pervert this into being "divine quality" This would be nothing special because all are made in the image of God. There is no authority for their mistranslation. Thayer's Lexicon - theotetos means the state of being God, Godhead. JW's like Jews, do not believe claims of Jesus. If they lived in first century they would be the ones wanting to crucify Him. Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. FIRST QUESTION - Who do you say Jesus is? SECOND QUESTION - What are you going to do about it? There is No Messages Like the Message of Christianity Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc