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Chapter 130

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THE DIVINITY OF JESUS
Part 2

130.030.000       Torrey: p75, T:III
Topic 30:   Seven distinctly Divine Offices are ascribed to Jesus Christ.

130.030.010       Torrey: p75, T:III, P:1
POINT 10:   The Son of God, the Eternal Word, the Lord, is Creator of all created things.

      Hebrews 1:10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."

      John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

      Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

130.030.020       Torrey: p75, T:III, P:2
POINT 20:   The Son of God is the Preserver of all things.

      Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

130.030.030       Torrey: p75, T:III, P:3
POINT 30:   Jesus Christ has power on earth to forgive sins.

      Mark 2:5-10 [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." ...

      Luke 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

   Note: Jesus taught that sins were sins against Himself.

      Luke 7:40-47 [40] Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. [41] "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" [43] Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven -- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

   He speaks of both Simon and the woman, as sinners, being debtors to himself.

      Compare: Psalms 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

130.030.040       Torrey: p76, T:III, P:4
POINT 40:   It is Jesus Christ who raises the dead.

      John 6:39, 44 [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

   QUESTION: Didn't Elijah and Elisha raise the dead?

   ANSWER: No, God raised the dead in answer to their prayer, but Jesus Christ will raise the dead by His own word. During his humiliation it was by prayer that Christ raised the dead.

      John 11:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

130.030.050       Torrey: p77, T:III, P:5
POINT 50:   Jesus Christ shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation into the likeness of His glorious body.

      Philippians 3:20-21 [20] ... the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

130.030.060       Torrey: p77, T:III, P:6
POINT 60:   Jesus Christ shall judge the living and the dead.

      2 Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

   Note: Jesus Himself emphasized the Divine character of this office:

      John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

130.030.070       Torrey: p77, T:III, P:7
POINT 70:   Jesus Christ is the giver of Eternal Life.

      John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

      John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

130.040.000       Torrey: p77, T:IV
Topic 40:   In the Old Testament, certain statements are made distinctly of Jehovah, God. In the New Testament, statements that are extremely similar are considered to refer to Jesus Christ.

   Many statements which are made distinctly of Jehovah, God, in the Old Testament are taken in the New Testament to refer to Jesus Christ, i.e., in New Testament thought and doctrine Jesus Christ occupies the place that Jehovah occupies in Old Testament thought and doctrine.

130.040.010       Torrey: p77, T:IV, P:(1)
POINT 10:   Text: Jehovah/Jesus is eternal and created Heaven and Earth.

      Psalms 102:24-27 [24] So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. [25] In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [26] They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. [27] But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

      Hebrews 1:10-12 [10] He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [11] They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. [12] You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

130.040.020       Torrey: p78, T:IV, P:(2)
POINT 20:   Text: Someone will come calling to make way for the LORD.

      Isaiah 40:3-4 [3] A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

      Matthew 3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

      Luke 1:68-69, 76 [68] Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. [69] He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David [76] And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

   Of course, the "one calling in the desert" is John the Baptist.

   Reviser's Note: I disagree with Torrey on this Point. Matthew 3:3 clearly indicates that Isaiah 40:3-4 is a prophesy about the coming Messiah. Hence, the passage does not refer to Jehovah.

130.040.030       Torrey: p78, T:IV, P:(3)
POINT 30:   Text: God/Jesus will have vengeance on the wicked.

      Jeremiah 11:20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.

      Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

      Revelation 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

130.040.040       Torrey: p78, T:IV, P:(4)
POINT 40:   Text: God/Jesus is the light.

      Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

      Luke 2:30-32 [30] For my eyes have seen your salvation, [31] which you have prepared in the sight of all people, [32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

130.040.050       Torrey: p78, T:IV, P:(5)
POINT 50:   Text: God closed the eyes of many who witnessed miracles so they could not believe.

      Isaiah 6:1, 3, 10 [1] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. [3] And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." [10] "Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

      John 12:37-41 [37] Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. [38] This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" [39] For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: [40] "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - - and I would heal them." [41] Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

130.040.060       Torrey: p79, T:IV, P:(6)
POINT 60:   Text: Jehovah/Jesus will be a stone that will make men fall.

      Isaiah 8:13-14 [13] The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, [14] and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

      1 Peter 2:7-8 [7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, " [8] and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message -- which is also what they were destined for.

130.040.070       Torrey: p79, T:IV, P:(7)
POINT 70:   Text: Do not fear.

      Isaiah 8:12-13 [12] Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. [13] The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,

      1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

130.040.080       Torrey: p79, T:IV, P:(8)
POINT 80:   Text: The Lord can send venomous snakes to punish those who seek to test Him.

      Numbers 21:6-7 [6] Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. [7] The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

      1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did -- and were killed by snakes.

130.040.090       Torrey: p79, T:IV, P:(9)
POINT 90:   Text: God/Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

      Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

      Isaiah 40:10-11 [10] See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. [11] He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

      John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

130.040.100       Torrey: p80, T:IV, P:(10)
POINT 100:   God/Jesus will seek after those who are lost.

      Ezekiel 34:11-12, 18 [11] For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. [12] As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. [18] Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

      Luke 19:10 [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

130.040.110       Torrey: p80, T:IV, P:(11)
POINT 110:   LORD always refers to the Deity unless clearly indicated.

   In the Old Testament, LORD always refers to God except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the New Testament, LORD always refers to Jesus except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

130.050.000       Torrey: p80, T:V
Topic 50:   The way the name of God the Father and Jesus Christ are coupled together

130.050.010       Torrey: p81, T:V, P:1
POINT 10:   The name of Jesus Christ is coupled with that of God the father in numerous passages in a way in which it would be impossible to couple the name of any finite being with that of the Deity.

      2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

      Matthew 28:19 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,

      1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

      1 Corinthians 12:4-6 [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

      Titus 3:4-5 [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

      Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

      Romans 1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

      James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

      John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

   "We", "God and I"

      2 Peter 1:1-2 [1] Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: [2] Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

      Colossians 2:2-3 [2] My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

      John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

      John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

      Jeremiah 17:5-7 [5] This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. [6] He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. [7] But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

      Revelation 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

      Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

      John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

130.060.000       Torrey: p81, T:VI
Topic 60:   Divine Worship to be given to Jesus Christ

130.060.005       Torrey: p83, T:VI
POINT 5:   Jesus Christ is a person to be worshipped by angels and men, even as God the Father is worshipped.

130.060.010       Torrey: p81, T:VI, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus Christ accepted without hesitation a worship which good men and angels declined with fear (horror).

      Matthew 28:9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

      Luke 24:52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

      Matthew 14:33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

      Acts 10:25-26 [25] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. [26] But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

      Revelation 22:8-9 [8] I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. [9] But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

      Matthew 4:9-10 [9] "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." [10] Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

   QUESTION: Isn't the verb translated "worship" in these passages, sometimes used to refer to the reverence paid to men in high positions?

   ANSWER: Yes, but not in this way by worshippers of Jehovah, as is seen by the way in which both Peter and the angel drew back when such worship was offered to them.

130.060.020       Torrey: p82, T:VI, P:2
POINT 20:   Prayer is to be made to Christ.

      1 Corinthians 1:2-3 [2] To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ -- their Lord and ours: [3] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

      2 Corinthians 12:8-9 [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

      Acts 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

130.060.030       Torrey: p83, T:VI, P:3
POINT 30:   It is God the Father's will that all men pay the same divine honor to the Son as to Himself.

      Psalms 45:11 The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.

      John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

      Revelation 5:8-9, 12- 13 [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty- four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [12] In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" [13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

130.060.040       Torrey: p83, T:VI, P:4
POINT 40:   The Son of God, Jesus, is to be worshipped as God by angels and men.

      Hebrews 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

      Philippians 2:9-11 [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

      Isaiah 45:21-23: [21] Declare what is to be, present it -- let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. [22] "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. [23] By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

   In each of these unmistakable ways, God in His word distinctly proclaims that Jesus Christ is a Divine Being, that Jesus is God:

   -   using numerous Divine names for Jesus    -   ascribing all the distinctively Divine attributes to Jesus    -   predicating several Divine offices to Jesus    -   by referring statements which in the Old Testament distinctly name Jehovah God as their subject to Jesus Christ in the New Testament    -   coupling the name of Jesus Christ with that of God the Father in a way in which it would be impossible to couple the name of any finite being with that of the Deity    -   teaching that Jesus Christ should be worshipped as God the Father is worshipped

   Note: Whoever refuses to accept Jesus as his Divine Savior and Lord is guilty of the enormous sin of rejecting God. A man often things he is good because he never stole or never murdered or never cheated. "Of what great sin am I guilty? he complacently asks. "You are guilty of the awful, damning sin of rejecting God," we reply. But suppose one questions or denies His divinity. That does not change the fact nor lessen his guilt. Questioning or denying a fact never changes it. Suppose that one denies the goodness of a man who is in fact the soul of honor. It would not alter the fact but simply make the questioner guilty of awful slander. So denying the fact of the Deity of Jesus Christ does not make it any less a fact, but it does make the denier guilty of awful blasphemous slander.

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