Divinity of Christ

The divinity of Christ is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. This belief is rooted in numerous scriptural attestations that reveal His divine nature and eternal existence. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration of Christ's divinity: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as preexistent and co-equal with God, underscoring His divine essence.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is ascribed titles and attributes that belong solely to God. In John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" , invoking the divine name "I AM" revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, thus equating Himself with Yahweh. Furthermore, in Colossians 2:9, Paul affirms, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" , emphasizing that the entirety of God's nature resides in Jesus.

The divinity of Christ is also evident in His works and authority. He exercises divine prerogatives, such as forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-7) and commanding nature (Mark 4:39). His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate vindication of His divine identity, as Paul writes in Romans 1:4, "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" .

Lordship of Christ

The Lordship of Christ is a central tenet of Christian faith, asserting that Jesus is sovereign over all creation and worthy of worship and obedience. The New Testament frequently refers to Jesus as "Lord," a title that signifies authority and divinity. In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul describes the exaltation of Christ: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" .

The Lordship of Christ is not only a future reality but a present truth that demands allegiance and submission. In Romans 10:9, Paul states, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" . This confession acknowledges Jesus' authority and the believer's commitment to His rule.

Christ's Lordship extends over the church and the cosmos. Ephesians 1:22-23 declares, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" . As Lord, Jesus governs the church, guiding and sustaining it through His Spirit.

The recognition of Christ's Lordship is integral to Christian worship and practice. Believers are called to live under His authority, following His teachings and commands. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commissions His disciples, saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . This Great Commission underscores the comprehensive scope of Christ's Lordship and the mission of His followers to proclaim His reign.