THE SON OF GOD: IS JESUS DIVINE?
By: Daniel McMillin
Is Jesus really God? To answer that question, let’s begin in the Old Testament and work our way up to the New Testament. In Daniel 7:13, the prophet envisions one who is among the clouds, like a “Son of Man,” that came before the Ancient of Days and is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. This text shows divine action done by a human. To be the “Son of Man” is to be human, and to dwell in the clouds of heaven with the Ancient of Days is a divine act. In the gospels, Jesus is described as the “Son of Man” and “Son of God” to reveal His nature as the Messiah and the true living God. This is clear from the declaration of the angel Gabriel (Matt. 1:23), the confession that Peter and the twelve make (Matt. 16:13-16), and by God Himself at his baptism (Matt. 3:13-17) and the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-13). Not only this, but Jesus Himself recognized that He was, in fact, God, as He shows in how He describes His relationship with the Father, especially when He prays to the Father and describes the unity and intimacy, He shares with God the Father and the Holy Spirit (John 17:1-26). One of the best passages to describe the divinity of Jesus and is found in the sermon by the apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. uses many Old Testament texts to support the events that transpired on that day (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 16:8-11; 89:3-4; 110:1; 132:11-12; Joel 2:28-32). He says, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:22-24). Jesus’ humanity is first mentioned since it is how man recognized Him. But Peter further notes that it was God Who declared His divinity, that is, God stamped His approval upon Jesus. Jesus did things that could only be explained by the divine, as He did supernatural things while incarnate. All of this was witnessed and experienced by those who murdered Him. They knew He performed these various miracles. Peter further notes that it is Jesus who was “delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” They may have killed Him, but “God raised” Him. God used this evil act, murdering Christ, for His good will. He used Jesus’ death to put “an end to the agony of death,” defeat the devil, and deliver sinners from the darkness of sin. In fact, what Peter is saying is that this was always God’s plan. From this, Peter compares David with Jesus, the Son of David (Messiah), by saying David is still in the grave, but Jesus rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of the throne of God. His anointing by the Spirit, resurrection from the dead, and ascension to heaven are grounds for His divinity since Jesus alone is the Lord and King that reigns over all things…that they crucified (Acts 2:25-36). It is at this point that Peter’s sermon is interrupted (Acts 2:37), and he tells them these two commands— “repent” and “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” – and two promises –receive “the forgiveness” of sins and “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In addition, those who were baptized were added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:41, 47). It is at this point that we see why this question (Is Jesus Divine?) is so important. Our salvation heavily depends upon the identity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then how can He save us? Praise be to God that He sent His Son to save us from our sins and give us eternal life (John 3:16).
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