God” applied to Jehovah. The same is true in Jeremiah 32:18. There is only one true and living God. The third great verse of promise is Micah 5:2 revealing not only the birthplace of Jesus Christ, but also giving an important statement con cerning His identity and deity. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall- he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (or as the margin gives us, “from eternity”). This shows the pre-existence of our Saviour. Christ made available His wonderful atoning sacrifice so that He is able to save to the uttermost all those who come unto God by Him (Heb. 7:25). Looking at the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ we need to consider the testimony of God the Father. Then we need to regard the statements of our Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, we must consider the witness of the disciples and apostles who followed Him here on this earth. Concerning His Son, Almighty God has stated, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Heb. 1:8). God is addressing His own Son who is God. Coming up from the waters of baptism the Lord from heaven de- Biola's radio ministry is extended greatly through the tadlities of XBBW, San Diego. Pictured from right to left in the station's control room are Hr. At Sanders, «ice president of Public Delations, Mr. Phill Butler, station manager, Mr. Ed Steele, director of Radio, and Mr. Reger Booth (seated) program director.
dared, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Then we find Christ praying “Now 0 Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:5). This plainly declares His existence with the Father in eternity past. In John 10:30 He clearly states of Himself, “I and my Father are one.” We should not miss other im portant verses such as Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:21; and Luke 18:7. The Saviour is united with the Father in bestowing final rewards to men as suggested in Hebrews 11:6. That which is stated about God is also de clared of Christ in Matthew 16:27. Even while Christ was on the earth in the body of His humiliation, subject to the limitations that human form imposed, His deity is clearly and un mistakably revealed. In Isaiah 44:6 we read, “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Christ adopts the same language for Himself in Rev. 22:12 and 13. In the eyes of those who were with Him here on earth we find beautiful testimonies, given under the inspira tion of the Holy Spirit. John 1:1 forcefully points out, “In the begin ning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The explanation of this is seen in the 14th verse, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we be held his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” What a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. No more wonderful verse on the subject can be found than John 3:16. Yes, God was made flesh and dwelt among us. No matter how filled with confusion this world may be, as long as we can see Jesus Christ as God’s own Son, as the Bible teaches we need have no fear. The Saviour will take care of His own. Remember the purpose for which He came into the world which was to re deem fallen mankind. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter