64. Because the Scriptures declare Jesus knew the thoughts of men. "And Jesus knowing their thoughts," etc. Matt. 9:44And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4). The prerogative of God alone. "Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men." 1 Kings 8:3939Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) (1 Kings 8:39).
67. Because He proclaims Himself to all the thousands of His worshipers to be the great searcher of hearts. "And all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts." Rev. 2:2323And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23). That the Son here speaks, see verse 18. Is not this the very air of deity alone? "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins," etc. Jer. 17:1010I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10). What can be more manifest? If Jehovah alone search the heart, and yet the Scripture expressly affirms that Christ possesses that prerogative, then Christ must be Jehovah.
68. Because His disciples bear testimony to His omniscience in so many words, just before His crucifixion. "Now are we sure that Thou knowest all things." John 16:3030Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. (John 16:30). Would the meekness of Jesus have suffered the divine attribute of omniscience to be thus ascribed to Him had He not possessed it?
CHRIST IS OMNIPOTENT
70. Because He says, "I have power to lay it [His life] down, and I have power to take it again." John 10:1818No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:18). What creature ever possessed this power? Are not the issues of life and death with God alone?
71. Because He is "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." Eph. 1:2121Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21). What more could be said of God?
72. Because He is absolutely declared to be "the head of all... 'power." Col. 2:1010And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10). The head of all power must be He who originates and wields all power; and who is this but the Almighty God?
73. Because He is not only represented as the creator of all things, but also as the upholder of all things, and this not by an effort, as creatures sustain a burden, but by His Word. "Upholding all things by the word of His power." Heb. 1:33Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3). What more sublime description of Jehovah! He is called also, "The mighty God." Isa. 9:66For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). Who is this Being, that upholds millions of worlds with all their splendors by His powerful word? Is it a dependent creature, or is it the only true God?
75. Because of the divine majesty and power with which He spoke to the paralytic. "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house; and he arose, and departed to his house." Matt. 9:66But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Matthew 9:6). Here is the air and manner of Jehovah alone: "Let there be light"; "Let there be a firmament," etc.
76. Because He assumes the authority of God over the elements. When the winds and the waves were raging, "He... rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:3939And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39). Does not this remind us of the psalmist's description of the Almighty? "0 LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto Thee?... Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them." Psalm 89:8, 98O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? 9Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. (Psalm 89:8‑9).
77. Because He assumes divine authority over death. He said to the widow's son, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up." Luke 7:14, 1514And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. (Luke 7:14‑15). To Lazarus He said, "Come forth," and he that had been dead four days came forth (John 11:43, 4443And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (John 11:43‑44)). The prophets had to wait for special commissions from heaven, but "the Son quickeneth whom He will" (John 5:2121For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. (John 5:21)).
78. Because He assumes divine authority over demons. "He cast out the spirits with His word." Matt. 8:1616When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: (Matthew 8:16). In these instances, it was not borrowed power, be it remembered. Jesus manifested His own glory by His miracles. "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory." John 2:1111This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11). So when He raised Lazarus He said, "I am the resurrection and the life."
79. Because the disciples wrought miracles in the name of Christ, thereby acknowledging that their authority and power to suspend what are called laws in nature, were derived from Him, as the God of nature. "His name, through faith in His name, hath made this man strong." Acts 3:1616And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16). "Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." Chap. 9:34.
80. Because then, in a word, He wrought miracles—by His own power—according to His own will—for His own glory—with a divine authority—and likewise commissioned His disciples to work them in His name.
81. Because He says, "I... have the keys of hell [hades] and of death." Rev. 1:1818I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18). He also declares Himself to be that Almighty Being who "openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth." Chap. 3:7. Is not this the prerogative of God alone? "Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death." Psalm 68:2020He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. (Psalm 68:20).
82. Because He asserts His omnipotence when He says there is no work which the Father performs but He performs likewise. "What things soever He [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." John 5:1919Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19). Observe these expressions; do not the works of the Father prove Him omnipotent? But the Son performs the very same works in like manner; then, without controversy, they prove the Son omnipotent.
83. Because He is represented as the great fountain from which Christians of all ages and countries receive their supplies. "Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:1616And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16). This is just as God is represented. "With Thee is the fountain of life." Psalm 36:99For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalm 36:9).
85. When, therefore, the Savior says, "I can of Mine own self do nothing," He does not intend to deny these claims to omnipotence, but to deny all separate interest from the Father, and to declare His essential oneness with Him; or, we may consider Him as speaking of Himself in the humble form of a servant which He assumed; in both respects the assertion is obviously true and in perfect harmony with His claims, as God, to omnipotence.
86. Because He in so many words assumes to Himself the attribute of omnipotence. "I am Alpha and Omega,... the Almighty." Rev. 1:88I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8). He is the One of verse 7, who was pierced.
87. Because He not only healed all manner of diseases and raised the dead in His own name, but, with the same air of divine authority, said to the paralytic, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Mark 2:55When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:5). Would not this be blasphemy, were He not Himself the great Lawgiver, the supreme Judge, even God? "Who can forgive sins but God only?" Mark 2:77Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (Mark 2:7). The language of Jehovah is, "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions." Isa. 43:2525I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25). Jesus Christ authoritatively pronounced the forgiveness of sins; He is therefore God.
CHRIST IS OMNIPRESENT
87. Because He declared Himself to be in heaven at the same time He was on earth, thereby showing that He is omnipresent. In conversation with Nicodemus He says, "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." John 3:1313And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13). Paul to the Ephesians, chapter 1:23, speaks of "the fullness of Him [Christ] that filleth all in all." This accords with the language of Jehovah: "Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."
89. Because He promises His disciples and, through them, all Christians, to be present with them as an unfailing source of consolation. "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:1818I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18). Is not this the common consolation which the omnipresent God gives His people? "Fear not; for I am with thee." Isa. 43:55Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; (Isaiah 43:5).
90. Because He again promises He will manifest Himself to the man that loves Him, and in the same manner as God visits every pious soul. "I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.... My Father will love him, and We will come unto him." John 14:21, 2321He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23).
92. Because He proclaims Himself to be that omniscient and omnipresent Being, who, though on His Father's throne in heaven, yet at the same time walks "in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [the seven churches]." Rev. 2:11Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 2:1).
93. Because He declares in so many words, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:2020Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20). Not merely by good wishes, but by an efficient presence, so that Paul could say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13). Does not our Savior here assume the omnipresence of God, and claim the confidence which belongs to God alone? "The LORD is the strength of my life." "In God I have put my trust." Psalm 27:1; 56:41<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Psalm 56:4).
HIS ETERNAL EXISTENCE
94. Because in prophecy He is represented as existing from eternity. "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." Mic. 5:22But 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. (Micah 5:2). Compare Matt. 2:66And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6), where the evangelist applies it to Christ.
94. Because He says, "Before Abraham was, I am." John 8:5858Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58). God, in His message to Pharaoh, styled Himself, "I AM." Exod. 3:1414And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14).
95. Because Christ prays, "Glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was," or from eternity, to which the phrase is equivalent. John 17:55And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5).
97. Because we hear Him expressly and repeatedly say of Himself, "I am the first and the last." "And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen." Rev. 1:17, 18; 2:817And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17‑18)
8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Revelation 2:8). Who but the eternal God would dare to assume the prerogative of being the first and the last? Can any being but God be the first and the last?
98. Because the following language unequivocally designates eternal and immutable existence. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8). Who is unchangeable, and forever the same, but the eternal God? Jesus Christ is here pronounced unchangeable; He is therefore God.