Chapter 21 - The Three are God
We now take up the divinity of each person of the Trinity. The NT more assumes than proves this, and the assumption is pervasive.
Jesus' teaching assumes His divinity. He speaks of "His angels" (Matt 13:41) and assumes the right to decide who enters the Kingdom (Matt 7:21-23).
Paul's letter openings often ascribe divine power to bless us to Jesus (Gal 1:1; Rom 1:7; etc.).
Christ as Lord
One of the most common titles for Jesus is Lord. This often comes from the word Yahweh in the OT (Matt 3:3 from Isa 40:3; Matt 21:16 from Ps 8:2; John 10:11 from Ps 23:1; and many more). When Jesus says He is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) He is claiming something that was for God alone: "a Sabbath to Yahweh your God" (Ex 20:10).
Jesus calls Himself I AM (Ex 3:14) several times (John 4:26; 8:24, 58; 18:5-6).
Christ as Son of God
Angels and Adam and believers are all called God's sons at some point, but Jesus' Sonship is unique. He speaks of MY Father differently than we call God OUR Father (John 17:1-5; 5:18-23). The Jews accuse Him of blasphemy for affirming He is the Son of God (Matt 26:63-66).
Jesus as Messiah / Christ
Messiah is seldom used in the OT, but prophets do speak of a coming ruler who is everlasting and greater than David (Isa 9:6; Micah 5:2; Ps 110:1). Jesus and the NT claim directly that He is the Messiah (Matt 16:16-17; John 20:31; 1 John 2:22).
Jesus as God
Messiah is called God in Psalm 45:6 and Isaiah 7:14.
John 1:1 shows Jesus, the Word, to be God.
Frame also cites these texts, countering grammatical objections to them asserting that Jesus is called God. John 1:18; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Thess 1:12; Heb 1:8; 1 John 5:20; Phil 2:6; Col 2:9.
Some think there are too few texts, and many of them have textual issues. Why did the NT focus on Jesus being God so little? They didn't! They assumed it. They used kurios (Lord) instead. They focused on Christ's redemption more than on His nature, though they certainly didn't ignore His nature.
Other titles for Jesus
Son of Man
Jesus calls Himself this most. It refers to Daniel 7:13-18, where the son of man ascends to God and receives the eternal kingdom. He is equated with the saints (vs 17-18), and thus is a representative of them.
Word - see John 1:1-14; Rev. 19:13. He is the "final revelation from God" (470).
Image of God - see Hebrews 1:3.
Savior
This can refer to human deliverers, mostly in Judges, but often is a divine title (Isa 43:11). Jesus is Savior in Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31; Phil 3:20; etc.
Holy One - the demons call Jesus this, and the Psalmist calls God the same (Ps 71:33; 78:41)
Alpha and Omega - God is the first and last in Isa 44:6, and Jesus is the same in Rev 1:17-18; 2:8; 22:13.
Besides all this to prove Jesus' divinity, He is believed upon and worshiped in the NT, which only is true of God.
Deity of the Holy Spirit
Several texts name the Spirit along with Father and Son as being the source of blessing or the identity of God.
Several NT texts quote the OT where God speaks, and attribute it to the Spirit.
Ananias lied to the Spirit, and thus to God (Acts 5:3-4).
He has divine attributes of holiness, eternal, wise, etc.
Blasphemy is only against God, but we can blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
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