Because it is not only declared, that all things were created by Him, and for Him, but also that "By Him all things consist [subsist]." Col. 1:1717And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17). is not that Being, who supports all things, God? Then is Christ truly God, for He is the Creator and Supporter of all things.
Because we cannot for a moment believe that any finite, dependent being, would be joined with the Almighty, and denominated the temple, and the light of heaven. "The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it [the city].... The -4' glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Rev. 21:22, 2322And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:22‑23).
Because we are commanded to baptize in His name. "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:1919Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19). A most solemn form of entire consecration to each of the three Persons in the Godhead, consequently to the Person of the Son, as well as to the Father, and the Holy Ghost. Are we identified in this most solemn rite with a finite, dependent creature? Or is the Son, as well as the Holy Ghost, truly God?
105. Because we find it required in so many words, "That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." John 5:2323That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. (John 5:23). Would the Father thus speak, were not the Son truly divine? His language is, "I am the LORD; that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another." Isa. 42:88I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8). Now to ascribe to the Son anything short of real deity, is to degrade Him infinitely below the Father; for between God and the most exalted creature there must be an infinite distance. This requirement is absolutely and necessarily broken by all men who do not believe in the real deity of Jesus Christ. They rob God our Savior. Weigh the solemn thought!
Because no person was ever censured by Christ, when on earth, for entertaining too exalted views of Himself; but, for admitting low conceptions of Him, multitudes were condemned. Thomas's exalted views of Him as his "Lord" and his "God," were approved, and a blessing promised all others who should exercise a similar faith. Whereas, "He that believeth not is condemned already." John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18).
Because the inspired apostles, so far from intimating a fear or even a possibility of exalting Christ too highly, exhaust language to set forth His glories, and the consequent efficacy of His atoning blood. "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die... for the name of the Lord Jesus." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." I have "a desire to depart, and to be with Christ." "That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Ye are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ." "Considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow." When He who is the believer's life shall appear, "we shall see Him as He is." "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." "To Him be glory forever and ever." Does Unitarianism produce such adoring views of Christ?
108. Because most of those who have rejected the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, have gone on progressively in a course of error, letting slip one great doctrine after another, till they have denied the inspiration of most or all of the Holy Scriptures. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."
Because there is no instance recorded in the Bible, nor on the page of ecclesiastical history, nor have we ever heard of the case, where a person lamented on a deathbed, that he had reposed too unreserved devotion in Him, or ascribed to Him more glory than was His due; while lamentations of the opposite character come with a mournful frequency. "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." John 8:2424I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24). "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Would the reader wish to die thus?
Because John closes the canon of Holy Scripture with a solemn prayer to Christ. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Rev. 22:20, 2120He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20‑21). May the reader close his life with such triumphant and adoring views of the Son of God. Amen. TESTIMONY Or THE SO-CALLED EARLY FATHERS
Subjoined are a few of the very numerous testimonies to the deity of our Lord, which might be selected from the writings of the early Fathers. These men must have known what were the opinions of the apostles on so important and prominent a point.
Ignatius was a disciple of John, and "bishop of the church" at Antioch, and honored with martyrdom in the year of our Lord 107, and says, "We have also a physician, the Lord our God, Jesus the Christ, before ages the only begotten Son and Word, but afterward man also of the virgin Mary; for the Word was made flesh." And again, "Christ my God."
The venerable Polycarp, a disciple of John, born A.D. 82, and called to a martyr's crown at the advanced age of 100, finished his prayer at the stake with this doxology, "I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, by the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son; with whom to Thee, be glory, both now to all succeeding ages. Amen."
Justin Martyr, born A.D. 103, and beheaded at Rome, A.D. 167, has the following sentence: "That ye might also know God, who came forth from above, and became a man among men, and who is again to return, when they who pierced Him shall see and bewail Him."
Theophilus was ordained "bishop of the church" at Antioch about the middle of the second century, and says, "The Word was God, and came from God."
Irenaeus suffered martyrdom under Severus, A.D. 202, was a disciple of Polycarp, a disciple of John, and says, "The Ebionites are vain, not receiving the union of God and man, by faith, into their souls."
Clemens Alexandrinus, the friend of Irenaeus, says, "Believe, O man, in Him who is both man and God: believe, O man, in Him who suffered death, and yet is adored as the living God." This father was an energetic writer about the close of the second century.
SUM MARY
We have now seen that all those texts which speak of Christ as in a subordinate condition, have not the least weight in disproving His essential deity, being all easily and naturally explained by the fact, that, though He thought it not robbery to be equal with God, He took on Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death for the redemption of sinful men. We have seen of Jesus, that His name is God; JEHOVAH OF HOSTS; the LORD GOD; the LORD of GLORY; the LORD of ALL; He is THE TRUE GOD; the MIGHTY GOD; LORD of LORDS; and GOD over ALL; the FIRST and the LAST; the self-existing I AM. We have seen that all the attributes and incommunicable perfections of JEHOVAH belong to Christ. He is ETERNAL; IMMUTABLE; OMNIPRESENT; OMNISCIENT; OMNIPOTENT. We have seen that the works which can be done by none but JEHOVAH Himself, are done by Christ. He created all worlds, and upholds all things by the word of His power; He governs the whole universe and is the light of heaven. By His omnipotent voice He will raise the dead. Although the company before His awful tribunal will be as innumerable as the sand upon the seashore, yet will He perfectly recollect all their actions, words, and thoughts, from the birth of creation to
the end of time—impossible for any creature, but easy for Christ. He is also to His Church what none but God can be. He is the source of all grace and eternal salvation to His people, and we are to act toward Christ exactly in the same manner as we are to act toward God the Father: to be baptized in His name; to believe in Him; to pray to Him; to serve and worship Him, even as we serve and worship the Father—and not thus to honor the Son is the same, and equally sinful, as not to honor the Father. These are some of the things which irresistibly prove the deity of the Savior. What stronger proof can the power of language convey?
CONCLUSION
Now, reader, what thinkest thou of CHRIST? A question of greater moment, more vital to your eternal well-being, cannot be asked you. Answer it with His own solemn warning before you. "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." Will you incur the guilt and run the hazard of robbing your Savior of His divine glories? Will you not this moment imitate the angels and all the redeemed, and cast yourself at His feet, and with adoring gratitude ascribe all glory to His name? As His personal dignity is exalted or debased in your estimation, so will be your confidence in Him, and expectations from Him. A creature as your savior, however exalted, cannot satisfy your soul, cannot pardon your sins. Rise, then, to loftier views; let a heaven-born faith present Him before you as that Being in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Then, great indeed will be your expectations; and they will forever rise and swell, as you gaze on the glories of His Person, and the unsearchable riches of His grace. And I beseech you, remember, whatever be your views of Christ, in a few days you must stand before His judgment seat. He that lay in swaddling bands in the manger shall come in clouds, when every eye shall see Him, even they who have pierced and dishonored Him.
"Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father's only Son;
God manifest, God seen and heard,
The heaven's beloved One;
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That ev'ry knee to Thee should bow.
"In Thee most perfectly expressed
The Father's self doth shine;
Fullness of Godhead, too: the Blest, Eternally divine.
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That ev'ry knee to Thee should bow.
"Image of th' Infinite Unseen,
Whose being none can know;
Brightness of light no eye hath seen,
God's Love revealed below.
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That ev'ry knee to Thee should bow.
"Of the vast universe of bliss,
The center, Thou, and Sun;
Th' eternal theme of praise is this,
To heaven's beloved One:
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That ev'ry knee to Thee should bow."