Copyright 2011 by Lauretta Marigny - All rights reserved

God has five characteristics that show that he is divine; He is all-knowing, all-powerful, present everywhere at once, unchanging, and eternal.

The New Testament claims Jesus himself possessed all of these characteristics.

Jesus knew things only God knows. (He is all-knowing)

The disciples knew Jesus was all-knowing:

Jesus' disciples said, "Now we can see that you know all things..."Jn 16:30
Peter, when talking to Jesus, said, “Lord, you know all things..." Jn 21:17

Jesus knew people's thoughts. The Bible says this about the Pharisees and teachers of the law, and then about the crowds:

"But Jesus knew what they were thinking..." Lk 6:8
"Jesus knew their thoughts..."Lk 11:17

Jesus also knew the details of a woman's past (Jn 4:29), He knew what would happen to Him in the future: He knew that Judas would betray Him (Jn 6:70) and that he would suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders, be killed by them, and then be raised to life (Mt 16:21).

Jesus has great power. (He is all-powerful)

Jesus healed the sick:

"...the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." Lk 4:40

Jesus cast out demons:

"Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!'" Lk 4:41

He raised the dead:

"After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up." Mt 9:25

He calmed the storm; He had power over nature.

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."  Mk 4:39

Jesus claims He can be in several places at one time. (He is present in every place.)

When teaching about prayer he said,

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Mt 18:20

Before ascending to heaven Jesus gave his disciples instructions, then he promised,

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mt 28:20

The Bible says Jesus is always the same. (He never changes.)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:8

Jesus is eternal.

Eternity past

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (He) was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2 
[The "Word" in John, Chapter 1 is understood to be Jesus.]

Eternity future

The writer of the book of Hebrews says Psalms 45 is talking about Jesus:

But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. ” Heb 1:8

If Jesus is indeed all-knowing, all-powerful, present everywhere at once, unchanging, and eternal, then it is safe to assume that he is God.

 

Some ideas and scriptures in this article are taken from Henry's Thiessen's Systematic Theology, copyright 1979

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