Jesus Understood Himself To Be The One True God

Jesus Understood Himself to Be the One True God: An Exploration of the New Testament

The assertion that Jesus understood himself to be the one true God is a cornerstone of Christian theology. This belief, however, is not without its complexities and requires a careful examination of the New Testament texts, considering the historical and cultural context in which they were written. This article will delve into various aspects of Jesus's self-understanding, analyzing key passages and exploring the implications of his claims.

The Evidence from the Gospels: Explicit Claims of Divinity

The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – offer numerous instances where Jesus makes explicit or implicit claims to divinity. While some interpretations may downplay these claims, a close reading reveals a consistent pattern suggesting Jesus's self-identification with God.

I AM Statements in John's Gospel:

John's Gospel stands out for its frequent use of the "I AM" statements ( ego eimi in Greek), directly echoing God's self-revelation in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). These are not mere pronouncements of identity; they are powerful claims to divine authority and being. Examples include:

• "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35): This connects Jesus to the manna in the desert, a miraculous provision from God.
• "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12): Light is a recurring symbol of God's presence and revelation.
• "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11): This links Jesus to God's care and protection of his people.
• "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6): This is a powerful assertion of exclusive mediation between God and humanity.
• "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25): This claim to control life and death is a characteristically divine attribute.

These "I AM" statements are not merely metaphorical; they are deliberate pronouncements that position Jesus as the embodiment of God's promises and power. The repeated use of this phrase underscores the deliberate nature of Jesus's claim to divine status.

Jesus's Acceptance of Worship:

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus accepts worship from his disciples and others, a gesture that would have been considered blasphemous unless he truly believed himself to be divine. Examples include:

• The worship of the Magi (Matthew 2:11): The wise men, guided by a star, came to worship the newborn Jesus, acknowledging him as king and divine.
• The worship of the leper (Mark 1:41): The healed leper prostrates himself before Jesus, an act of worship reserved for God.
• Thomas's confession (John 20:28): Thomas, after witnessing the resurrected Jesus, exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus does not rebuke him for this declaration.

The consistent acceptance of worship, without correction or denial, strongly suggests that Jesus considered himself worthy of such reverence, a privilege uniquely belonging to God in the Jewish worldview.

Jesus's Claims of Forgiveness and Judgment:

Jesus forgave sins (Mark 2:5-12), a power traditionally attributed to God alone. He also claimed the authority to judge (John 5:22), foreshadowing his role in the final judgment. These actions are not consistent with a mere prophet or teacher; they are consistent with the attributes of the divine judge and redeemer.

The Evidence from the Epistles: Apostolic Affirmation of Jesus's Divinity

The Epistles, letters written by the apostles to various churches, further reinforce the understanding of Jesus as divine. These writings, while not directly quoting Jesus, reflect the early church's unwavering belief in his divinity.

Paul's Writings:

Paul's letters are especially significant. He consistently portrays Jesus as being fully God and fully man, a concept known as the hypostatic union. Key passages include:

• Philippians 2:5-11: This passage describes Jesus's humbling himself, taking on human form, yet remaining equal with God.
• Colossians 1:15-20: Here, Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and the one through whom all things were created.
• Titus 2:13: Jesus is identified as the "great God and Savior."
• Romans 9:5: Paul refers to Christ as "who is over all, God blessed forever."

Paul's unwavering conviction in Jesus's divinity permeates his writings, shaping the theological understanding of the early church.

Other Epistles:

Other epistles also support the divinity of Jesus. Hebrews, for example, presents Jesus as the ultimate high priest, superior to all other priests, and possessing a divine nature. 1 John repeatedly emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the Son of God, highlighting his role in atonement and reconciliation with God.

Contextual Understanding: Jewish Monotheism and the Concept of the Logos

Understanding Jesus's self-understanding requires considering the context of first-century Judaism. While Jews were strictly monotheistic, their understanding of God was nuanced. The concept of the Logos, present in Philo's writings, was influential. The Logos was understood as the divine wisdom or word of God through whom God created the world and interacted with humanity. John's Gospel utilizes this concept, identifying Jesus as the incarnate Logos, the divine word made flesh. This doesn't imply a division of God but rather a manifestation of God in human form.

Addressing Counterarguments:

Some interpretations of the Gospels attempt to minimize or reinterpret Jesus's claims to divinity. However, these interpretations often struggle to account for the cumulative evidence presented in the New Testament.

Allegorical Interpretations:

Some argue that Jesus's claims should be understood allegorically or metaphorically. While certain passages may indeed have metaphorical elements, consistently interpreting all of Jesus's claims in this way ignores the direct and unequivocal nature of many of his pronouncements.

Historical-Critical Approaches:

Some historical-critical approaches focus on the evolution of Christology (the study of Christ) within the early church, suggesting that the understanding of Jesus as divine developed gradually over time. While there's merit in examining the historical development of Christian doctrine, this does not necessarily invalidate the core claims made by Jesus himself, as recorded in the Gospels.

Conclusion: The Weight of Evidence

The evidence from the Gospels and Epistles, when considered holistically, strongly supports the conclusion that Jesus understood himself to be the one true God. His "I AM" statements, his acceptance of worship, his claims of forgiveness and judgment, and the consistent affirmation of his divinity by the apostles paint a clear picture. While interpreting these texts requires careful consideration of their historical and cultural context, a plausible and consistent understanding points to Jesus’ self-conception as the divine Son of God, fully God and fully man, a belief that forms the very bedrock of Christian faith. The depth and consistency of these claims throughout the New Testament cannot be easily dismissed. Jesus's self-understanding as divine is not merely a later theological construct; it is a central and essential element of the Christian message, rooted in the testimony of the Gospels and the witness of the apostles. Understanding this self-understanding is crucial for grasping the significance of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection for Christians worldwide.