DEFENDING THE DEITY OF CHRIST — Part 2

WHY JESUS IS TRULY GOD - BIBLICALLY, HISTORICALLY, AND THEOLOGICALLY

2. JESUS SHARES THE NAMES OF GOD

In African culture, a name is not just a label — it carries identity, authority, and essence.
A son of a chief carries the weight of his father’s name.
When he speaks, the father’s authority follows him.

The same truth appears in Scripture: Jesus bears the very names of God.

THE NAME “I AM” (YAHWEH)

Exodus 3:14 — God told Moses His eternal name: “I AM WHO I AM.”
This name (Yahweh) was so holy that Jews feared to pronounce it.

John 8:58 — Jesus boldly declares: “Before Abraham was born, I AM!”
He did not say “I was.”
He used God’s own eternal name. The Jews understood this as a claim to be God — that’s why they tried to stone Him.

Other Divine Titles

THE FIRST AND THE LAST (ALPHA AND OMEGA)

God says this of Himself in Isaiah 44:6.

Jesus uses the same title in Revelation 1:17-18:
“I am the First and the Last… I am the Living One.”

LORD OF GLORY

Psalm 24:10 calls God the “King of glory.”

1 Corinthians 2:8 says the rulers crucified the “Lord of glory.” — Jesus Himself.

Picture a stranger walking into a village palace and announcing, “I am the Chief!”
He would be chased out — because he has no right to that name.

But when the true chief’s son arrives, people bow.
Why? Because he carries his father’s name, authority, and nature.

Jesus did not force God’s name or borrow it.
He carries it by right. He is the Son who shares the Father’s very essence.

3. JESUS POSSESSES THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

What makes God “God”?
His divine qualities — eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, unchanging.

Scripture shows that Jesus possesses every one of these.

A. ETERNAL — NO BEGINNING

John 1:1–2: “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.”
Before creation existed, Jesus already existed.

Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things.”

Jesus is not a created being — He is the eternal Word.

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B. ALL-KNOWING (OMNISCIENT)

John 2:24-25 — Jesus knew what was in every person’s heart.

John 16:30 — The disciples said, “Now we see that you know all things.”

No prophet or angel knows all things. But Jesus does.

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C. ALL-POWERFUL (OMNIPOTENT)

Matthew 8:26-27 — Jesus rebuked the storm, and the wind and waves obeyed.
Only the Creator commands creation.

In Revelation 1, the titles of God are placed directly on Jesus —
demonstrating shared divine authority.

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D. UNCHANGING (IMMUTABLE)

Hebrews 13:8 — “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Kings change, cultures change, nations rise and fall —
But Jesus remains forever constant.

In the next article, we will examine how Jesus Christ received worship and how He performed the works of God as evidence to defend His deity.

To be continued....