IS JESUS FULLY GOD?
Jesus is fully God
One of the most significant controversies on Christology is Jesus’ deity. The issue on the doctrine of Christ has been an ongoing debate throughout the centuries. Some believe Jesus Christ is God but not consubstantial to the Father. However, others believe Jesus is fully God and equal to the Father. Many continue to scrutinize Jesus’ deity before and after his ascension. Earlier in the 4th century, another teaching arose on Jesus Christ’s deity. This new teaching taught that Jesus is similar to the Father but not equal while the biblical view taught that Jesus is equal to the Father and fully God. This new belief that declared Jesus as not being fully God became known as Arianism. They had concluded Jesus could not be fully God because he was created. During the birth of Arianism, many opposed this view and believed the Scripture revealed a correct view of Jesus. Because of this reason, a council of men gathered together to search the Scripture and to affirm the biblical doctrine of Christ during the Arian movement. This meeting was called the Council of Nicea. They established an understanding of Jesus’ identity as fully man and fully God.[1] What significance is there if Jesus is not fully God? Does it matter whether Jesus was less than the Father? Does this doctrine have any consequences to man’s eternal state? This controversy on Jesus Christ’s deity continues to be debated today. Since the 4th century, theologians have questioned whether or not Jesus Christ is fully God? Ultimately, Jesus is fully God. This paper will show how Jesus is fully God by carefully using the Bible to prove his full deity and the implications of Jesus equal to God.
The founder of Arianism was a man named Arius. He believed and taught before Jesus Christ existed, God was alone. After God created Jesus, God became the Father and Jesus became the Son. Jesus had a beginning and did not exist eternally. Consequently, Jesus was a subordinate to the Father and was never fully God.[2] Yet, what does the Bible teach on this matter of Jesus Christ being fully God?
Before answering this question, this section will explore how Arius formulated his teaching. Arius built his belief on key scriptures that dealt with the word “begotten.” Some of these verses were John 1:14, John 3:16, and Colossians 1:15. His interpretation on “begotten” indicated Jesus came into existence. When he interpreted Colossians 1:15, he believed it stated that Jesus was “begotten” or brought into existence. These key scriptures made room for his belief of Jesus Christ having an origin therefore Jesus was not equal to the Father or fully God.
The word, “begotten,” that Arius used to defend his belief is the Greek word prototokos. A correct word study would help give light to the right interpretation. Wayne Grudem defines prototokos, “the rights or privileges of the ‘first-born’ that is, according to biblical usage and custom, the right of leadership or authority in the family for one’s generation.”[3] This correct understanding of the word “begotten” helps to denote Jesus has the rights and the authority as the first born in all creation. Therefore, Arius’ definition of the word is misleading and is a total misunderstanding of the word prototokos. With the correct word study, the word “begotten” has no significance on determining whether Jesus is fully God.
The New Testament on Jesus
Now this section will address the question earlier, “what does the Bible say about Jesus Christ being fully God?” In the Bible, there are explicit scriptures that specifically address this question. The Apostle Paul wrote distinctive doctrines of Jesus Christ in the beginning chapters of Colossians. If Arius’ interpretation of prototokos was true, then Paul contradicted himself by writing in the first chapter of Colossians both “begotten” (v. 15) and then later the “fullness of God” (v. 19) dwelt in Jesus. Furthermore, this would reveal God changing by creating a being and then giving this created being the fullness of himself or the fullness of his deity. If it were true, it would deny God’s immutableness. Also, for Paul to write this to the church of Colossae, it would confuse them and the other churches during the apostle’s time.
On the contrary, the Apostle Paul knew what he meant when he wrote to the Colossae Church. He understood prototokos as the rights and privileges of the first-born. His writings did not contradict themselves; they exalted the supremacy of Jesus Christ both having the rights of the first-born and the fullness of God dwelling in Jesus. Therefore it is obvious that Paul continued to emphasize the importance of Jesus’ full deity by writing again about how the “whole fullness of deity” (Col. 2:9) dwelt in Jesus in the following chapter. He would not confuse his audience with “begotten,” (1:15) “fullness of God,” (1:19) and “whole fullness of deity” (2:9) in portraying who Jesus really is. It is apparent Paul put heavy significance on Jesus being fully God. Thus, the Apostle Paul would refute Arius’ doctrine on Jesus Christ.
In addition to explicit scriptures that address the question of Jesus Christ being fully God, the author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus was the “exact imprint of his [God’s] nature” (Heb. 1:3). The word, charakter, gives an understanding of Jesus as the exact disposition or the same substance as the Father.[4] The author agrees with Paul’s letter to the Colossians of Jesus that Jesus is fully God.
Furthermore, the authors of the New Testament wrote explicitly and affirmed that Jesus is fully God. The gospel writers continued this doctrine of Christology in their writings. Each one wrote about different attributes that God alone possessed as Jesus Christ’s attributes. These are a few specific scriptures of Jesus being fully God. Matthew wrote that Jesus is God with us (Mt. 1:23). Mark wrote that Jesus is God because only God could forgive sins. Luke wrote that Jesus is Lord (Lk. 20:41-44). John wrote that Jesus claiming he is God (Jn. 8:58). The Apostle Peter wrote Jesus is God and Savior (2 Pe. 1:1). And last, the Apostle Paul also wrote Titus, a personal letter to Titus, expressing the same thing Peter wrote about stating that Jesus is God and Savior (Tit. 1:3). Although there are many other references, this is sufficient for this section in showing Jesus is fully God.
Before moving into the implications of Jesus’ full deity, this section will address how people during Jesus’ day saw him. The first group of people was the Pharisees and possibly other Jews (Mk. 2:1-12; 14:61-64; Jn. 5:16-18; 8:59; 10:30-39). They continued to respond in anger and resentment to what Jesus was doing and especially claiming. The original audience of Jesus’ day understood clearly what Jesus was saying by their response to his claim. Their reactions were consistent to Jesus being blasphemous because he proclaimed to be God. The second group of people was Jesus’ friends, those closest to him (Mt. 16:16; Jn. 20:28). They continued to affirm his claim by worshipping him. It is clear Jesus understood worship was attributed to God alone. God alone is loved and no other (Mt. 22:37).[5]
Jesus’ friends and his enemies knew Jesus’ proclamation of himself being equal to God. Their responses in the Gospel showed their acceptance or rejection of Jesus “being a man, make [to Jesus] yourself God” (Jn. 10:33). There is evidence of the most scholarly people during Jesus’ time, the Pharisees, knowing the significance of what Jesus was saying. Their words and actions showed the desire of their hearts in wanting to stone Jesus to death because of what he said and did. Thus, people during his time understood what he made himself out to be, God.
The implications of Jesus fully God
The Bible is overwhelming filled with evidence of Jesus being fully God. The implications from Arius’ doctrine of Jesus Christ, if true, would bring tragedy to Christianity. A person who is created and finite would not be able to satisfy God’s wrath for it is impossible.[6] The Scriptures clearly point to God and not a created being that could only rescue man from his wrath. Also, man’s salvation would not meet God’s standard for only God can satisfy his requirement for salvation not a created being. If true, this would leave people dead in their sins. Thus, salvation is futile and man is doomed for God’s wrath. Last, if Arius was right, how could God who is Jealous share his glory with a created being (Dt. 4:24)? Does not the Scriptures command to worship God alone (Ex. 20:3)? Moreover, the Scriptures explicitly state God will not give his glory to anyone or anything (Is. 42:8).
Ultimately, the Bible is clear in presenting who Jesus Christ is and the implications of that: Jesus is fully God therefore only Jesus being fully man and fully God could bear the wrath of the Father. Only Jesus satisfied the Father’s wrath and brought salvation to all who believe in him. Also, Jesus being fully God could not hinder in sharing glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13-15).
Conclusion
Arius’ belief does not therefore hold to the Scriptures. His misinterpretation based on the word, “begotten,” destroys the very truth of the doctrine of Christology. This heretical view of Jesus Christ showed he was created and was less than the Father. Because of this, Arius’ doctrine has caused great calamity to the Christian faith by leading people away from the truth. The ramification of this false doctrine has crept into the Christian faith throughout the centuries. Consequently, some have been influenced by this skewed view based on his false teaching. Today, some hold to Arianism. They are called Jehovah Witnesses. They, like Arius, have lead many to follow a Jesus who is not of the Bible, a Jesus that is not fully God or equal to the Father.
In light of this dark heresy, Jesus Christ is fully God. The Bible clearly and explicitly reveals Jesus was not created and is equal to the Father. The correct word study on prototokos and charakter adhere to the truth of Jesus. Some of the New Testament writers wrote about the Pharisees and Jews who desired to stone him because of his claims (Jn. 10:30-39). Also, they wrote comprehensibly about Jesus as fully God.
In conclusion, the implication of Jesus Christ being less than God would forfeit man’s salvation. Jesus could only be equal to God and not created based on the authority of Scriptures. Jesus had to be fully God in order to save those who would trust in him for salvation and to satisfy the Father’s wrath on sin. Although Arius’ teaching has led people astray from the truth, there have been some who have guarded the truth. One group in particular met together to defend and to guard the truth of Jesus Christ. It was during Arius’ day when a group of men met together at the Council of Nicea. They affirmed Jesus is fully God and condemned Arius’ view.[7] They held to the truth of the Scriptures. May this generation continue to protect this doctrine of Jesus Christ and teach others the truth of him for the glory of God.
[1] Fred G. Zaspel, The PERSON of JESUS CHRIST http://www.bliclicalstudies.com/bstudy/christology/jesus1.htm (accessed January 4, 2010).
[2] H. R. Mackintosh, THE DOCTRINE of the PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1915), 175-179.
[3] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), 243.
[4] W. E. Vine, A comprehensive Dictionary of the Original Greek Words with their Precise Meanings for English Reader, (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1984), 587.
[5] Zaspel, “THE PERSON of JESUS CHRIST.”
[6] Grudem, 553.
[7] Mackintosh, 175-195.
