Evidence that Jesus is God: A Gentle Examination of Hebrews 1.

The first chapter of Hebrews presents a profound and detailed argument for the divinity of Jesus Christ, meticulously distinguishing Him from angels and establishing His supreme nature. This elaborate exploration will delve into the evidence presented in Hebrews 1, supplemented by a wealth of corroborating scriptures from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, to construct a compelling case for Christ's deity.

1. Jesus as the Unique Son of God (Hebrews 1:5)

Hebrews 1:5 declares, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" This verse emphatically distinguishes Jesus from angels by highlighting His singular relationship with God as His Son. This divine sonship is not a mere title but a fundamental aspect of Christ's nature.

This unique relationship is echoed throughout scripture:

- Psalm 2:7: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."

- Matthew 3:17: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The term "only begotten" (μονογενής in Greek) emphasizes Christ's unique status, setting Him apart not just from angels, but from all creation.

2. Angels Commanded to Worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6)

Hebrews 1:6 states, "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." This divine mandate for angels to worship Jesus is profoundly significant, as worship is reserved exclusively for God.

Consider these supporting scriptures:

- Exodus 34:14: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

- Matthew 4:10: "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

- Revelation 22:8-9: When John fell down to worship an angel, he was rebuked: "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant... worship God."

The command for angels to worship Jesus unequivocally places Him in the category of deity, not created beings.

3. Jesus Addressed as God and Eternal King (Hebrews 1:8)

Hebrews 1:8 provides one of the most explicit declarations of Jesus' divinity: "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." Here, Jesus is directly addressed as God and described as having an eternal kingdom.

This aligns with numerous prophetic and apostolic writings:

- Isaiah 9:6-7: "For 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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end..."

- John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

- Titus 2:13: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

4. Jesus Anointed Above All (Hebrews 1:9)

Verse 9 further emphasizes Christ's superiority: "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." This anointing above all others reinforces Jesus' unique position.

Additional scriptures support this exalted status:

- Philippians 2:9-11: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

- Colossians 1:18: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

5. Jesus as Lord and Creator (Hebrews 1:10)

Hebrews 1:10 attributes the act of creation to Jesus: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands." This verse not only calls Jesus "Lord" but also identifies Him as the Creator, a role exclusively attributed to God in the Old Testament.

This creative role is affirmed elsewhere:

- John 1:3: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

- Colossians 1:16: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."

Conclusion:

The evidence presented in Hebrews chapter 1, supported by a multitude of scriptures throughout the Bible, constructs an irrefutable case for the divine nature of Jesus Christ. By distinguishing Him from angels, attributing to Him titles, worship, and roles reserved for God alone, and emphasizing His eternal nature and creative power, we establishe Jesus' deity beyond doubt.

This understanding is not merely academic but has profound implications for Christian faith and practice. It underscores the magnificence of the incarnation – that the infinite, eternal God took on human flesh to reconcile humanity to Himself. As Philippians 2:6-8 beautifully expresses, Christ, "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

The divinity of Christ, so powerfully argued in Hebrews 1, is the cornerstone of Christian theology, shaping our understanding of salvation, worship, and the nature of God Himself.