In this post I will show how to put Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) in a dilemma by getting them to either admit Jesus is the one true God of Israel (even though he is not the Father), or that the [N]ew Testament contradicts the [O]ld Testament. Neither of which will sit well with JWs

John’s Gospel records Thomas’ reaction after seeing the risen Christ in his glorified, immortal physical body of flesh:

“Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ but he answered, ‘Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!‘ Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:24-29

Thomas praises the resurrected Jesus as his very own Lord and God thereby affirming that Christ is the God-Man, e.g., God who became embodied, enfleshed by taking on a human nature.  

Here’s how the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ very own Bible (per)version renders Thomas’ exclamation of praise:

“In answer Thomas said to him (eipen auto): ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:28 New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (2013 Revision) (NWT)

There is absolutely no doubt contextually and grammatically that Thomas addressed these words to the risen Christ:

4. Thomas, who doubted the resurrection, said, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (v. 25). When Jesus appeared to Thomas, He said, “Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing” (v. 27). Thomas replied, “My Lord and My God [Theos]!” (v. 28).

There is no mistaking that Thomas’s words were addressed to Jesus. Thomas used both titles to express his understanding of Christ’s deity and lordship. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for blasphemy. Instead, He accepted those titles of deity. (Josh McDowell & Bart Larson, Jesus: A Biblical Defense of His Deity [Here’s Life Publishers, INC., San Bernardino, CA 1989], 2. Jesus Christ Possesses the Names and Titles of God, pp. 26-27; bold emphasis mine)

Here is where the dilemma lay for the JWs. The OT is explicitly clear that Jehovah is the only God that a faithful Israelite or Jew could ever confess and worship, a fact which even the JWs’ own publications acknowledge!

In its articles on JEHOVAH, the Imperial Bible Dictionary (Vol. I, p. 856) nicely illustrates the difference between Elohim (God) and Jehovah. Of the name Jehovah, it says: “It is everywhere a proper name, denoting the personal God and him only; whereas Elohim partakes more of the character of a common noun, denoting usually, indeed, but not necessarily nor uniformly, the Supreme…. The Hebrew may say the Elohim, the true God, in opposition to all false gods; but he never says the Jehovah, for Jehovah is the name for the true God only. He says again and again my God…; but never my Jehovah, for when he says my God, He means Jehovah. He speaks of the God of Israel, but never of Jehovah of Israel, for there is no other Jehovah. He speaks of the living God, but never of the living Jehovah, for he cannot conceive of Jehovah as other than living.” (Aid to Bible Understanding [Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1971], Jehovah, p. 885; bold emphasis mine)

And:

In its articles on Jehovah, The Imperial Bible-Dictionary nicely illustrates the difference between ʼElo·himʹ (God) and Jehovah. Of the name Jehovah, it says: “It is everywhere a proper name, denoting the personal God and him only; whereas Elohim partakes more of the character of a common noun, denoting usually, indeed, but not necessarily nor uniformly, the Supreme. . . . The Hebrew may say the Elohim, the true God, in opposition to all false gods; but he never says the Jehovah, for Jehovah is the name of the true God only. He says again and again my God . . . ; but never my Jehovah, for when he says my God, he means Jehovah. He speaks of the God of Israel, but never of the Jehovah of Israel, for there is no other Jehovah. He speaks of the living God, but never of the living Jehovah, for he cannot conceive of Jehovah as other than living.”​—Edited by P. Fairbairn, London, 1874, Vol. I, p. 856. (Insight on the Scriptures, Jehovah, Volume 2, p. 8; bold emphasis mine)

With this admission in mind I quote just some of the many OT texts which emphatically describe Jehovah as the only God that a faithful, religious Israelite could ever trust in:

“It was then that Moses and the Israelites sang this song in Yahweh’s honour: I shall sing to Yahweh, for he has covered himself in glory, horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. Yah is my strength and my song, to him I owe my deliverance. He is my God and I shall praise him, my father’s God and I shall extol him. Yahweh is a warrior; Yahweh is his name.” Exodus 15:1-3

“[For the choirmaster For flutes Psalm Of David] Give ear to my words, Yahweh, spare a thought for my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God! To you I pray,” Psalm 5:1-2

“Even the sparrow has found a home, the swallow a nest to place its young: your altars, Yahweh Sabaoth, my King and my God.” Psalm 84:3

“But my trust is in you, Yahweh; I say, ‘You are my God,’” Psalm 31:14

“You who live in the secret place of Elyon, spend your nights in the shelter of Shaddai, saying to Yahweh, ‘My refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!’” Psalm 91:1-2

“Alleluia! Praise Yahweh, my soul! I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146:1-2

“Then I shall go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy. I will rejoice and praise you on the harp, O God, my God. Why so downcast, why all these sighs? Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour, my God.” Psalm 43:4-5

“Blessed be the Lord day after day, he carries us along, God our Saviour. This God of ours is a God who saves; from Lord Yahweh comes escape from death… Your processions, God, are for all to see, the processions of my God, of my king, to the sanctuary… In choirs they bless God, Yahweh, since the foundation of Israel… Take command, my God, as befits your power, the power, God, which you have wielded for us,” Psalm 68:19-20, 24, 26, 28

These next examples are rather intriguing,

“This is the day which Yahweh has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad. We beg you, Yahweh, save us, we beg you, Yahweh, give us victory! Blessed in the name of Yahweh is he who is coming! We bless you from the house of Yahweh. Yahweh is God, he gives us light. Link your processions, branches in hand, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, I thank you, all praise to you, my God. I thank you for hearing me, and making yourself my Saviour. Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his faithful love endures for ever.” Psalm 118:24-29

“David addressed the words of this song to Yahweh, when Yahweh had delivered him from the clutches of all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul. He said: Yahweh is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer is my God. I take refuge in him, my rock, my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold, my place of refuge. My Saviour, you have saved me from violence…

Yahweh in my anguish, I cried for help to my God, from his Temple he heard my voice, my cry came to his ears!… since I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and not fallen away from my God… Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness; with you I storm the rampart with my God I can scale any wall. This God, his way is blameless; the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him. For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God:” 2 Samuel 22:1-3, 7, 22, 29-32

Since the NT identifies Jesus as the Lord God who came to redeem a people for his own possession, that very Rock which delivered Israel at the time of Moses, and the Lamp that gives spiritual illumination to all the world!

“The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had come into being through him, and the world did not recognise him.” John 1:9-10

“I want you to be quite certain, brothers, that our ancestors all had the cloud over them and all passed through the sea. In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptised into Moses; all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink, since they drank from the spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

“waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus (tou megalou Theou kai Soteros hemon Christou ‘Iesou). He offered himself for us in order to ransom us from all our faults and to purify a people to be his very own and eager to do good.” Titus 2:13-14

“Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as our own, given through the saving justice of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ (tou Theou hemon kai Soteros ‘Iesou Christou)… for in this way you will be given the generous gift of entry to the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (tou Kyriou hemon kai Soteros ‘Iesou Christou).” 2 Peter 1:1, 11

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Revelation 21:23-24 NASB

If the foregoing still doesn’t convince a JW that the inspired Christian Scriptures identify Jesus as Jehovah God Almighty then this next passage should remove any doubt whatsoever:  

“You saw it, Yahweh, do not stay silent; Lord, do not stand aloof from me. Up, awake, to my defence, my God and my Lord, to my cause. In your saving justice give judgement for me, Yahweh my God, and do not let them gloat over me.” Psalm 35:22-24

Here’s how the Greek version renders the Psalter’s praising Jehovah as his God and Lord:

“Awake, O Lord, and attend to my judgment, [even] to my cause, my God and my Lord (ho Theos mou kai ho Kyrios mou).” Psalm 34:23 LXX

Now compare this with the Greek rendering of Thomas’ praise of the resurrected Son:

“Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God (ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou)!’” John 20:28 NASB

The words of both texts are virtually identical, which simply reinforces the point of Jesus’ being worshiped as Jehovah God in the flesh!

As the following Evangelical scholars put it:

Thomas’s words echo statements addressed in the Psalms to the Lord (Jehovah), especially the following: “Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense, for my cause, my God and my Lord [ho theos mou kai ho kurios mou]!” (Ps. 35:23). These words parallel those in John 20:28 exactly except for reversing “God” and “Lord.”²² More broadly, in biblical language “my God” (on the lips of a faithful believer) can refer only to the Lord God of Israel. The language is as definite as it could be and identifies Jesus Christ as God himself. (Robert M. Bowman Jr. & J. Ed Komoszewski, Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ [Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI 2007], Part 3: Name Above All Names: Jesus Shares the Names of God, 12.  Immanuel: God with Us, p. 143)

Bowman also responds to the attempt by JWs to get around Thomas’ clear-cut confession and its implications:

The Gospel of John begins (1:1) and ends (20:28, except for ch. 21, which reads as an appendix) with the confession of two of Jesus’ original disciples that Jesus Christ is God. In John 1:1 the apostle John, whose faith in Jesus was perhaps the strongest of all the disciples, states that Jesus Christ was God in the very beginning of time. In John 20:28 Thomas, whose faith among the disciples (other than Judas) was probably the weakest, also confesses that Jesus Christ was his very own Lord and God.

The JWs’ discussion of this verse shows that they are not sure what to make of it: “To Thomas, Jesus was like ‘a god,’ especially in the miraculous circumstances that prompted his exclamation. Some scholars suggest that Thomas may simply have made an emotional exclamation of astonishment, spoken to Jesus but directed to God” (p. 29).

Neither explanation is very convincing. To take the first, assuming that Jesus was not God, had Thomas called Jesus his “god” in an involuntary exclamation prompted by the “miraculous circumstances,” this would have been nothing short of superstitious and would have called for a rebuke (compare Acts 14:11-15).

As for the second explanation, the idea that a devout Jew in the first century would cry something like “O my God!” out of astonishment is an anachronism, reading back into the Bible something that is common in our culture but virtually unknown in Thomas’s culture. First-century Judaism regarded any careless or thoughtless use of the words Lord and God as bordering on blasphemy. Moreover, while in our modern culture people often exclaim “O my God!” or “O my Lord!” when confronted with something shocking, neither in our culture nor in any other do people exclaim “My Lord and my God!” in that sort of situation.

The JWs reason that whatever John 20:28 means, it cannot mean that Jesus is Jehovah God, for three reasons: (1) John 17:3 says “that Jehovah alone is ‘the only true God’”; (2) Jesus in John 20:17 referred to Jehovah as his God; and (3) Joh 20:31 states that the Gospel was written to show that Jesus was the Son of God, not God (p. 29). But this reasoning is self-defeating. If Jehovah is the only true God, and he is, then Jesus cannot be Thomas’s God unless Jesus is also the only true God; otherwise, Thomas is worshiping a false god. The fact that in the immediate context Jesus called the Father “my God,” far from showing that Jesus was a lesser god, shows that by calling Jesus “my God” in John 20:28, Thomas was giving Jesus the highest honor possible. And the fact that Jesus is the Son of God supports, not contradicts, the fact that he is also God–otherwise John 20:28 contradicts 20:31.

Two other points may be made. The language of “my Lord and my God” is found elsewhere in the Bible, with reference to Jehovah (Ps. 35:23, Rev. 4:11). Second, at least one JW publication has stated that when a Hebrew (that is, an Israelite or Jew) says “my God,” he means Jehovah. These facts give further confirmation that Thomas was speaking of Jesus Christ as the one true God, Jehovah. (Bowman, Why Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah’s Witnesses [Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI 1990], 7. Jesus Christ is God, pp. 96-97; bold emphasis mine)

To sum up the points of this post, we discovered:

1. Jehovah is the only God that an Israelite can worship and confess.
2. Thomas, an Israelite, worshiped Jesus as his Lord and God.
3. Thomas’ confession can only be acceptable if Jesus is Jehovah God in the flesh.
4. And yet Jesus is not the Father or the Holy Spirit but he is the uniquely begotten Son of God (Cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9).
5. Therefore, the one true God Jehovah exists as three eternally distinct divine Persons, namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  

Unless indicated otherwise, scriptural references taken from the New Jerusalem Bible, which can be accessed here: Bible – Catholic Online.

FURTHE READING

JESUS AS GOD IN JOHN 20:28

Smart’s Rule: A Critique

In this short post I am going present additional evidence that Islam is really Muhammadanism seeing that it has elevated Muhammad to godlike status, requiring its adherents to blindly follow him and love him unconditionally, just as much as they love the Muslim idol:

Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight … are dearer to you than Allah AND His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah). S. 9:24 Hilali-Khan

You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah AND His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be the successful. S. 58:22 Hilali-Khan

Islam further commands Muslims to perfectly submit to Muhammad to the same extent and degree that they are supposed to submit to Muhammad’s god:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. S. 4:65 Hilali-Khan

This is why obedience to Muhammad is the same as obeying Allah, and why a person must revert back to Muhammad’s decisions whenever scholars/leaders disagree:

These are the limits (set by) Allah (or ordainments as regards laws of inheritance), and whosoever obeys Allah AND His Messenger (Muhammad) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), to abide therein, and that will be the great success. And whosoever disobeys Allah AND His Messenger (Muhammad), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment. S. 4:13-14 Hilali-Khan

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. S. 4:59 Hilali-Khan

He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them. S. 4:80 Hilali-Khan

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah AND His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error. S. 33:36 Hilali-Khan

In fact, obedience to Muhammad is so crucial for Muslim salvation that Allah absolutely refuses to love anyone who doesn’t obey his “prophet,” since he only loves those who surrender to Muhammad’s will:   

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say (O Muhammad): “Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad).” But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers. S. 3:31-32 Hilali-Khan

The Muslim scripture makes it therefore explicitly clear that Muhammad has absolute, final authority and say-so over the lives of Muslims, since he pretty much owns them.

Little wonder that Muslims are named “the followers of Muhammad” in the hadiths:

Narrated Salim: I heard Um Ad-Darda’ saying, “Abu Ad-Darda’ entered the house in an angry mood. I said to him. ‘What makes you angry?’ He replied, ‘By Allah! I do not find the followers of Muhammad doing those good things (which they used to do before) except the offering of congregational prayer.” (This happened in the last days of Abu Ad-Darda’ during the rule of ‘Uthman). (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 11, Number 622 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=11&translator=1&start=0&number=622)

Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle said, “O followers of Muhammad! There is none, who has a greater sense of Ghira (self-respect) than Allah, so He has forbidden that His slave commits illegal sexual intercourse or His slave girl commits illegal sexual intercourse. O followers of Muhammad! If you but knew what I know, you would laugh less and weep more!” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 148 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=62&translator=1&start=0&number=148)

In light of the foregoing, I now furnish another explicit instance of Muslims deifying Muhammad by granting him the same devotion and service, which the Quran attributes to Allah.

Note what these ahadith state in regards to Abu Bakr’s love and dedication to Muhammad:

The Book of the Sunnah

(11a) Chapter: The Virtue of Abu Bakr Siddiq

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The wealth of none of you has benefited me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr.'” Abu Bakr wept and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I and my wealth are ONLY for you, O Messenger of Allah.'”

Grade: Da’if (Darussalam)

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 94

In-book reference: Introduction, Hadith 94

English translation: Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 94 (sunnah.com https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:94)

And:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah said, “The wealth of no one has benefited me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr.” Abu Bakr wept and he said, “My life and my wealth are ONLY for you, O Messenger of Allah.”

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 7397

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ahmad Shakir

Abu Bakr does for Muhammad what the Muslim scripture commands Muhammadans do for Allah, namely, devote their entire lives and wealth for their idol:

Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. S. 6:162 Pickthall

In case the readers are unaware who Abu Bakr was, he is the one who gave his 6 or 7-year-old daughter Aisha to a 51-year-old Muhammad, who then physically consummated the marriage three years later when the minor had just turned 9!

Aisha said: The Apostle of Allah married me when I was seven years old. The narrator Sulaiman said: Or six years. He had intercourse with me when I was nine years old.

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 11, Number 2116 https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2121)

26 The Book of Marriage

(29) Chapter: A Man Marrying Off HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah married me when I was seven years old, and he consummated the marriage with me when I was nine.”

Grade: SAHIH (Darussalam)

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 3256

In-book reference: Book 26, Hadith 61

English translation: Vol. 4, Book 26, Hadith 3258 (sunnah.com https://sunnah.com/nasai:3256; capital emphasis mine)

Hence, not only did Abu Bakr give his premature, prepubescent child to a 54-year-old man to sexually ravish, someone old enough to be Aisha’s grandfather, during a time when the premature girl was still playing on swings and with her dolls,

Narrated Aisha:

The Prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six (years). We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj. Then I got ill and my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman, came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was breathless then, and when my breathing became all right, she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, “Best wishes and Allah’s Blessing and a good luck.” Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah’s Apostle came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 234 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=58&translator=1&start=0&number=234)

‘A’isha reported that Allah’s Apostle married her when she was seven years old, and he was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he (the Holy Prophet) died she was eighteen years old. (Sahih Muslim, Book 008, Number 3311 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=008&translator=2&start=0&number=3311)

He also sacrificed his whole life and wealth for this same man.

In other words, Abu Bakr gave Muhammad the exact same service and devotion which the Quran exhorts Muslims to render unto Allah.

Putting it simply, Abu Bakr took Muhammad as a god to be worshiped alongside Allah, with the express approval of the Islamic deity and his so-called messenger!

POSTSCRIPT

It completely slipped my mind that I had already written a post on Abu Bakr’s rendering to Muhammad the exact same service and devotion which Muslims are required to give to the Muslim deity: MORE PROOF THAT MUSLIMS WORSHIP MUHAMMAD.

Therefore, instead of omitting either one of the posts I have decided to keep them both since the readers now have two different angles from which to analyze Abu Bakr’s idolatrous attachment to this wickedly immoral false prophet and antichrist.

FURTHER READING  

The Deification of Muhammad

Session on the Deification of Muhammad Pt. 1

Grave Worship: More of Muhammad’s Duplicity Exposed

Muhammad’s Marriage to a Prepubescent Girl And Its Moral Implications

In this post I will provide further evidence that the Quran isn’t a monotheistic text which promotes unitarianism. Rather, it is a garbled-up mess of incoherent polytheistic babble which Muhammad tried passing off as actual monotheism.

It is not without reason that Muhammad was called an “ear,”

And among them are men who hurt the Prophet (Muhammad) and say: “He is (lending his) ear (to every news).” Say: “He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah; has faith in the believers; and is a mercy to those of you who believe.” But those who hurt Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad) will have a painful torment. S. 9:61 Hilali-Khan

Referring to the fact of his repeating the fairy tales, legends and superstitious beliefs circulating among the pagans, Jews and Christians, which he then claimed were revelations that his deity sent down to him from above the seven heavens:

Those who disbelieve say: “This (the Qur’an) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad) has invented, and others have helped him at it, so that they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie.” And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.” Say: “It (this Qur’an) has been sent down by Him (Allah) (the Real Lord of the heavens and earth) Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” S. 25:4-6 Hilali-Khan

Here I am going to show how the formula that begins every surah or chapter of the Quran with the exception of surah al-Tauba (chapter 9), namely Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim (“in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”), is itself a vestige of paganism carried over into Islam.

ALLAH

In the following articles and rebuttals,

THE RELIGION OF ISLAM: THE REEMERGENCE OF BAAL WORSHIP

ALLAH= HUBAL= BAAL= SATAN

Ba’al, Hubal, and Allah

I provided evidence showing that among the pagans in Arabia Allah was the name given to their chief god Hubal, who was also the moon god. I further documented that Hubal was a Moabite idol imported to Mecca, thereby confirming Hubal’s identity as none other than the false god Baal. I inferred from this evidence that it is quite possible that the name Hubal is a contraction of hu bal, meaning “he is Baal.” Or it could be an Arabic corruption of the Hebrew words ha baal (“the Baal”). Either scenario leaves Muslims with the Allah of the Meccan pagans being none other than Baal whom Muhammad then tried to pass off as the one true God of Abraham.

AR-RAHMAN

What may surprise the readers is that the Islamic tradition attests that the pagans objected to Muhammad’s calling the deity ar-Rahman since they had never heard of this name before. The Muslim sources claim that the pagans actually took ar-Rahman to be another god altogether, and some even accused Muhammad of actually worshiping two gods! The disbelievers also didn’t have a clue as to who ar-Rahim was!

Moreover, there were other pagans that associated ar-Rahman with another false prophet named Musaylimah.

This is why the Muslim expositors stated that the following ayat were “sent down”,

That is how We have sent you to a people before whom many a people have come and gone, so that you may announce to them whatever We have revealed to you. But they do not believe in Ar-Rahman. Tell them: “He is my Lord. There is no other god but He. In Him have I placed my trust, and to Him is my reversion.” S. 13:30 (Ahmed Ali https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/13/st5.htm)

Say, `Call upon ALLAH or call upon Al-Rahman, by whichever name you call on HIM, HIS are the most beautiful names.’ And utter not thy Prayer aloud, nor utter it too low, but seek a way between. S. 17:110 Sher Ali

But when the unbelievers see you they make fun of you (and say): “Is this the one who mentions your gods (deridingly)?” Yet in Ar-Rahman they disbelieve… Say: “Who guards you from Ar-Rahman by night and by day?” Yet from a mention of their Lord they turn away. S. 21:36, 42 (Ahmed Ali https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/21/st5.htm)

Who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is in between those two in six aeons, then He set (Himself) over the Throne. Ar-Rahman: then ask about Him one who knows. And when it is said to them: “Prostrate to Ar-Rahman.” They said: “And what (do you mean by) Ar-Rahman? Shall we submit to that which you command us?” And this increased them in aversion. S. 25:59-60 (Dr. Kamal Omar https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/25/st48.htm)

To specifically address the concerns of the idolaters that Muhammad was introducing different and foreign deities alongside Allah:

And whenever the disbelievers see you they only take you in derision that is as one to be derided saying ‘Is this the one who mentions your gods?’ that is the one who derides them? And yet when it comes to the mention of the Compassionate One to them they hum repeated for emphasis are disbelieving of it saying ‘We do not know of any such individual’. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Q. 21:36 https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=21&tAyahNo=36&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

Then Allah rebukes the idolators who prostrate to idols and rivals instead of Allah…

<And when it is said to them: “Prostrate yourselves to Ar-Rahman!” They say: “And what is Ar-Rahman?”>

meaning: we do not know Ar-Rahman. They did not like to call Allah by His name Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), as they objected on the day of (the treaty of) Hudaybiyyah, when the Prophet told the scribe…

((Write: “In the name of Allah, Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful).”))

They said, “We do not know Ar-Rahman or Ar-Rahim. Write what you use to write: ‘Bismika Allahumma (in your name, O Allah).’” So Allah revealed the words…

<Say: “Invoke Allah or invoke Ar-Rahman, by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names”> (17:110).

meaning, he is Allah and He is the Most Gracious. And in this Ayah, Allah said …

<And when it is said to them: “Prostrate yourselves to Ar-Rahman!” They say: “And what is the Ar-Rahman?”>

meaning: we do not know or approve of this Name. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged): Surat An-Nur to Surat Al-Ahzab, Verse 50, Q. 25:59-60, abridged by a group of scholars under the supervision of Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh, Houston, New York, London, Lahore; First Edition: August 2000], Volume 7, p. 192 https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/25/55; bold emphasis mine)

And this is what Ibn Kathir wrote in respect to the treaty of Hudaybiyyah:

<Write: In the Name of Allah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.> Suhayl bin `Amr said, ‘As for Ar-Rahman, by Allah, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. So write: By Your Name, O Allah, as you used to write previously.’ The Muslims said, ‘By Allah, we will not write except: By the Name of Allah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.’ The Prophet said, <Write: “In Your Name O Allah.”’ (Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged): Surat Al-Jathiyah to the end of Surat Al-Munafiqun), Q. 48:25 [First edition, September, 2000], Volume 9, p. 163 https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/48/25; bold and capital emphasis mine)

And here are the commentators admitting that certain pagans thought that ar-Rahman was another false prophet named Musaylimah the ruler of Yemen:

(Thus We send thee (O Muhammad) unto a nation, before whom other nations have passed away, that thou mayst recite unto them that which We have inspired in you) that with which We sent Gabriel to you, i.e. the Qur’an (while they are disbelievers in the Beneficent) they say: we do not know the Beneficent, except Musaylimah, the liar. (Say) the Beneficent: (He is my Lord; there is no God save Him. In Him do I put my trust) I trust in and rely on Him (and unto Him is my recourse) to Him is the return in the Hereafter. (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs, Q. 13:30 https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=13&tAyahNo=30&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

(And when those who disbelieve) Abu Jahl and his host (behold thee) O Muhammad, (they but choose thee) O Muhammad (out for mockery) in what they say to you, ((saying)) to one another: (Is this he who maketh mention of) is this he who ridicules (your gods? And they would deny all mention of the Beneficent) they deny the Beneficent, saying: we do not know anyone by the name of the Beneficent (al-Rahman) except Musaylimah, the liar. (Ibid., Q. 21:36 https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=21&tAyahNo=36&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

(And when it is said unto them) to the people of Mecca: (Adore the Beneficent) submit to the Beneficent through the profession of Allah’s divine Oneness! (they say: And what is the Beneficent) we do not know anyone with this name except Musaylimah the liar? (Are we to adore whatever thou (Muhammad) biddest us) a manifest lie? (And it) i.e. the mention of the Beneficent; and it is said: the mention of the Qur’an; and it is said the call of the Prophet (increaseth aversion in them) from faith. (Ibid., Q. 25:60; bold emphasis mine)

(… while they are disbelievers in the Beneficent…) [13:30]. The commentators of the Qur’an said: “This verse was revealed at the treaty of Hudaybiyyah when they were about to write the document of the treaty. The Messenger of Allah said to ‘Ali: ‘Write in the Name of Allah, the Beneficent (al-Rahman), the Merciful’. Sahl ibn ‘Amr and the idolaters said: ‘We do not know anyone by the name of the beneficent (al-Rahman) except the ruler of al-Yamamah’, meaning Musaylimah the liar, ‘rather, write: in Your Name, O Allah!’ This is how the people of the pre-Islamic period used to write. And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed about them this verse”. Said ibn ‘Abbas, according to the report of al-Dahhak: “This was revealed about the unbelievers of Quraysh when the Prophet said to them (… Adore the Beneficent! They say; And what is the Beneficent? Are we to adore whatever thou (Muhammad) biddest us?) [25:60], and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse. He said (Say) to them, the Beneficent Whom you deny (He is my Lord; there is no god save Him…)”. (‘Alī ibn Ahmad al-Wahidi, Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=86&tSoraNo=13&tAyahNo=30&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

Finally, note the following citations which highlight the pagans’ accusation that Muhammad was actually praying to two separate gods:

Allah says…

<Say> O Muhammad, to these idolators who deny that Allah possesses the attribute of mercy and refuse to call Him Ar-Rahman…

<Invoke Allah or invoke Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.>

meaning, there is no difference between calling on Him as Allah or calling on Him as Ar-Rahman, because He has the Most Beautiful Names…

Makhul reported that one of the idolators heard the Prophet saying when he was prostrating: “O Most Gracious, O Most Merciful.” The idolator said, he claims to pray to One, BUT HE IS PRAYING TO TWO! Then Allah revealed this Ayah. This was also narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas, and by Ibn Jarir. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged): Surat Al-Isra’, verse 39 To the end of Surat Al-Mu’minun, Q. 17:110 [First edition, July 2000], Volume 6, pp. 104-105 https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/17/110; bold and capital emphasis mine)

The Prophet would often say ‘O God O Compassionate One’. So they said ‘He Muhammad forbids us to worship more than one god and yet he calls upon another god together with Him God’. The following was then revealed Say to them ‘Invoke God or invoke the Compassionate One that is to say invoke Him by either of these Names or call upon Him by saying ‘O God! O Compassionate One!’ whichever ayyan is conditional; mā is extra in other words whichever of these two Names you invoke is beautiful — this predicate ‘beautiful’ is indicated by the following statement to Him to the One called by these two Names belong the Most Beautiful Names’ these two Names being from among them; and they the other Names are the following as mentioned in hadīth God there is no god except Him the Compassionate the Merciful the King the Holy the Peace the Securer the Controller the Mighty the Compeller the Sublime the Creator the Maker out of nothing the Fashioner the ever Forgiving the Almighty the Bestower the Provider the Deliverer the Knower the Seizer the Extender the Lowerer the Raiser the Glorifier the Abaser the Hearer the Seer the Arbiter the Just the Subtle the Aware the Forbearing the Tremendous the Forgiver the Thankful the High the Great the Preserver the Conserver the Reckoner the Majestic the Generous the Watcher the Responsive the Embracing the Wise the Loving the Glorious the Resurrector the Witnessing the Truth the Guardian the Strong the Firm the Patron the Praiseworthy the Numberer the Initiator the Restorer the Life-giver the Death-maker the Living the Eternal Sustainer the Originator the Magnificent the One the Single the Everlasting Refuge the Powerful the Omnipotent the Advancer the Deferrer the First the Last the Outward the Inward the Ruler Exalted the Benign the Relenting the Avenger the Pardoning the Gentle Master of the Kingdom One of Majesty and Munificence the Equitable the Gatherer the Independent the Availing the Restrainer the Harming the Benefactor the Light the Guiding the Innovator the Enduring the Inheritor the Reasonable the Patient as reported by al-Tirmidhī. God exalted be He says And do not be loud in your prayer when you recite the Qur’ān therein lest the idolaters hear you and curse you as well as the Qur’ān and the One Who has revealed it; nor be silent do not murmur therein so that your companions might be able to hear it and benefit therefrom; but seek between that loudness and silence a middle way. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=17&tAyahNo=110&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

(Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent…) [17:110]. Said Ibn ‘Abbas: “One night in Mecca, The Messenger of Allah stood up for the night vigil prayer. He kept saying in his prostration: ‘O Beneficent, O Merciful!’ And so the idolaters said: ‘Muhammad used to call unto one Allah; now he is calling unto two gods: Allah and the Beneficent. We do not know of anyone by the name of the Beneficent except the beneficent of al-Yamamah (meaning Musaylimah the liar)’, and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”. Said Maymun ibn Mihran: “At the beginning of revelation, the Messenger of Allah used to write ‘In Thy name, O Allah’ until this verse was revealed (Lo! It is from Solomon, and lo, it is: In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful) [27:30], after which he always wrote ‘In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful’. The Arab idolaters then commented: ‘We know this Merciful but who is the Beneficent?’ As a response, Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”. Said al-Dahhak: “The people of the Book said to the Messenger of Allah: ‘You mention very little the Beneficent and yet Allah mentions this name in the Torah in abundance’. Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse as a response to them”. (And thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between) [17:110]. Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya informed us> his father> Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Thaqafi> ‘Abd Allah ibn Muti‘ and Ahmad ibn Mani‘> Hushaym> Abu Bishr> Sa‘id ibn Jubayr> Ibn ‘Abbas who said regarding the words of Allah, exalted is He (And thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein…): “This verse was revealed while the Messenger of Allah was in hiding in Mecca. Whenever the unbelievers heard the Qur’an being recited, they reviled it and reviled the person who had brought it. Hence, Allah, glorious and majestic is He, said to His Prophet (And thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship) i.e. upon reciting the Qur’an in prayer, lest the idolaters hear it and revile the Qur’an, (nor yet silent therein) such that your Companions do not hear you, (but follow a way between)”. (‘Alī ibn Ahmad al-Wahidi, Asbab al-Nuzul https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=86&tSoraNo=17&tAyahNo=110&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

It is clear that the Arabs who knew their religion and were masters of the language did not take Muhammad’s formulaic invocation as a monotheistic prayer directed to a single deity. Rather, the pagans whose mother tongue was Arabic could tell from these words that Muhammad was clearly invoking three separate gods, two of which were unknown to them. And the evidence shows they were absolutely correct.

It’s about to get far worse.

AR-RAHIM

The Muslim scripture identifies who this other god named ar-Rahim happens to be.

None other than Muhammad himself!

Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful (rahim). S. 9:128 Hilali-Khan

Muslim authorities candidly and unashamedly concede that Q. 9:128 affirms that Allah personally granted Muhammad some of his very own divine characteristics:

“… the objectification of Muhammad reaches its peak in Surah 9, which is indubitably one of the latest Madinan surahs. It repeatedly refers to ‘Allah and His Messenger’ (9.1, 3, 7, 16, 24, 29 etc.) and the penultimate ayah (9.128) describes the Messenger as ‘all-pitying all-merciful’, qualities which are elsewhere ascribed to Allah.” (Neal Robinson, Discovering the Qur’an: A Contemporary Approach to a Veiled Text, 2^nd edition, [Georgetown University Press, Washington, D.C. 2003], p. 244; bold emphasis mine)

And:

One of the men of knowledge, Al-Husayn ibn al-Fadl, said, “He honored him with two of His own names: the compassionate and the merciful (rauf, rahim).” The same point is made in another ayat: “Allah was kind to the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves.” (3:164)…

Jafar ibn Muhammad [as-Sadiq] said, “Allah knew that His creatures would not be capable of pure obedience to Him, so He told them this in order that they would realize that they would never be able to achieve absolute purity in serving Him. Between Himself and them He placed one of their own species, CLOTHING HIM IN HIS OWN ATTRIBUTES OF COMPASSION AND MERCY. He brought him out as a truthful ambassador to creation and made it such that when someone obeys him, they are obeying Allah, and when someone agrees with him, they are agreeing with Allah.” Allah says: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” (4:80)

As-Samarqandi explains that the words a mercy to all the worlds mean for both the jinn and mankind. It is also said that it means for all creation. He is a mercy to the believers by guiding them, a mercy to the hypocrites by granting them security from being killed, and a mercy to the unbelievers by deferring their punishment. Ibn Abbas said, “He is a mercy to the believers and also to the unbelievers since they are safe from what befell the other communities who cried lies.” It is related that the Prophet said to Jibril, “Has any of this mercy touched you?” He replied, “Yes, I used to have fear about what would happen to me, but now I feel safe because of the way Allah praised me when He said, ‘Possessing power, secure with the Lord of the Throne, obeyed, then trusty.’” (81:21) (Qadi Iyad Ibn Musa al-Yahsubi, Kitab Ash-shifa bi ta’rif huquq al-Mustafa (Healing by the recognition of the Rights of the Chosen One), translated by Aisha Abdarrahman Bewley [Madinah Press, Inverness, Scotland, U.K., third reprint 1991, paperback], Part One. Allah’s great estimation of the worth of his Prophet expressed in both word and action, Chapter One. Allah’s praise of him and his great esteem for him, Section 1. Concerning praise of him and his numerous excellent qualities, pp. 4-6; capital and bold emphasis mine)

Again:

Section 14. On Allah honouring the Prophet WITH SOME OF HIS OWN BEAUTIFUL NAMES and describing him with some of His own Sublime Qualities

… He has preferred our Prophet Muhammad since He has adorned him with a wealth of His names in His Mighty Book and on the tongues of His Prophets…

One of His names is the Praiseworthy (al-Hamid). This means the One who is praised because He praises Himself and His slaves praise him. It also means the One who praises Himself and praises acts of obedience. The Prophet is called Muhammad and Ahmad. Muhammad means praised, and that is how his name occurs in the Zabur of David. Ahmad means the greatest of those who give praise and the most sublime of those who are praised. Hassan ibn Thabit indicated this when he said:

It is taken for him from His own name in order to exalt him.

The One with the Throne is praised (Mahmud) and he is Muhammad.

Two of Allah’s names are the Compassionate, the Merciful (ar-Ra’uf, ar-Rahim). They are similar in meaning. He calls him by them in His Book when He says, “Compassionate, merciful to the believers.” (9.128) (Ibid., Chapter Three. On The Sound And Well-Known Traditions Related About The Immense Value Placed On Him By His Lord, His Exalted Position And His Nobility In This World And The Next, pp. 126-127; capital emphasis mine)

What the foregoing shows is that the oft-repeated Islamic invocation, which marks off every Quranic surah except one, is actually a polytheistic prayer acknowledging the existence of three separate and false gods:

ALLAH: Hubal the moon god whom the Meccan Arabs worshiped as their chief deity and as the lord of their pagan shrine the kabah.

AR-RAHMAN: Another pagan deity and/or the name of a false prophet.

AR-RAHIM: Muhammad, who was granted some of the names and attributes of his deity, for the express purpose of making him a partner in Allah’s unique divine characteristics and functions.

Hence, far from Islam promoting pure monotheism it actually encourages the worship of false gods while also venerating a false prophet and antichrist to godlike status.

Therefore, the only sensible thing Muslims can do is to completely abandon this vile, immoral, idolatrous religion and turn to the only path that can bring them everlasting peace and salvation:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 16:25 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 NKJV

“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30 NKJV  

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’” John 10:7-10 NKJV

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:1-6 NKJV

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the “stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” Acts 4:8-14 NKJV

FURTHER READING

The Islamic Gods Unveiled Pt. 1

How Many Gods Are There in the Quran?

ALLAH EXTENDS A HAND: ISLAM’S BLACK STONE IDOL

Unveiling the Inanimate Gods of Islam

Quran’s Multiple Creators: More Proof of Islam’s Triadic Deity

WHAT ABOUT JESUS? UNVEILING ISLAM’S OTHER ILAH BESIDES ALLAH

Session on the Deification of Muhammad Pt. 1

Session on the Deification of Muhammad Pt. 2

This current post is meant to go along with the following article: An Articulation of the Incarnation.

In this write-up I intend to present just some of the overwhelming biblical data in support of Jesus being one eternal divine Person who became flesh at a specific point in time. The God-breathed Scriptures testify that Christ is truly God who became truly human, and will therefore forever exist as the God-Man (theanthropos).

JESUS IS CALLED GOD

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God (ho Theos) with us.’” Matthew 1:22-23  

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God (ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou)!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:28-29

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,” Philippians 2:5-6

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;” Colossians 2:9

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (tou megalou Theou kai Soteros hemon ‘Iesou Christou),” Titus 2:13

“But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God (ho Theos), is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.’” Hebrews 1:8

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:” 2 Peter 1:1

JESUS IS CALLED MAN

“But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.” John 8:40

“Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?’ … Pilate then went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this Man?’… Then they all cried again, saying, ‘Not this Man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a robber.” John 18:17, 29, 40

“Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!’… From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, ‘If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.’” John 19:5, 12

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—” Acts 2:22

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

“but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8

AS GOD JESUS IS SPIRIT

“But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?’” Mark 2:8

“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45

The Scriptures testify that God by nature is Spirit, and that Spirit does not have flesh, blood and bones:

“Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together.” Isaiah 31:3

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 16:17

AS MAN JESUS IS FLESH, HAVING TAKEN ON FLESH AND BLOOD

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, ‘Have you any food here?’ So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.” Luke 24:36-43

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:24-27

“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:29-32

“concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:3-4

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,” Romans 8:3

“of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” Romans 9:5

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

AS GOD JESUS IS THE ETERNAL, ALMIGHTY CREATOR

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” John 1:1-3, 9-10

“‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” John 8:56-59

“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was… Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:5, 24

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And HE IS before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:13-17  

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds… And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.’” Hebrews 1:1-2, 10

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.” Hebrews 3:1-4

AS MAN JESUS WAS BORN WITHIN CREATION

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

““Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.”’” Matthew 2:1-6

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’ Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:26-35

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7  

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” Galatians 4:4

AS GOD JESUS IS THE SUSTAINER OF ALL CREATION WHO PRESERVES ALL THINGS ALIVE

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” Mark 4:39-41

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?’ Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’” John 4:10-14

“‘Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.’ Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’ Therefore they said to Him, ‘What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ Then they said to Him, ‘Lord, give us this bread always.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe… This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’ The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.’” John 6:27-36, 50-58

“And He is before all things, and IN HIM all things consist.” Colossians 1:17

“who 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3

AS MAN JESUS NEEDED FOOD AND BECAME WEARY AND THEREFORE NEEDED TO REST

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” Mark 4:35-38

“So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me a drink.’ For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, ‘How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?’ For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” John 4:5-9

AS GOD JESUS IS UNCHANGEABLE AND OMNISCIENT

“‘These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.’ His disciples said to Him, ‘See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?’” John 16:25-31  

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:17

“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3  

“They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” Hebrews 1:11-12

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

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.’” Revelation 2:18-23

AS MAN JESUS CHANGED AND GREW IN WISDOM

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him… And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:40, 52

AS GOD JESUS IS IMMORTAL AND CAN NEVER DIE

AS MAN JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN

This is why Jesus could raise his own physical body back to life since, as God, he never ceased to consciously exist nor did he stop sustaining the creation. This is also why Christ can assure all those who trust in him that they shall never die since he will personally grant them everlasting life:

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.” John 2:19-22

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will… Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself… Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His [the Son’s] voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:21, 25-26, 28-29

“‘All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.’ The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.’ And they said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus therefore answered and said to them, ‘Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day… Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’” John 6:37-44, 54

“‘And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, “If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.” Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?’” John 8:50-53

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:17-18, 27-30

“Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’” John 11:23-27  

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.’” John 17:1-2

“that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:14-17

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.’” Revelation 1:17-18

AS GOD JESUS IS WORSHIPED BY THE ENTIRE CREATION

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’” Matthew 14:33

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.’” Matthew 28:16-20

“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,” Luke 24:50-52  

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped Him.” John 9:35-38   

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:2

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

“But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’” Hebrews 1:6

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom… Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing… At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” 2 Timothy 4:1, 8, 16-18

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and ALL THAT ARE IN THEM, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.” Revelation 5:8-14

AS MAN JESUS WORSHIPED GOD THE FATHER

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’ Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.’ And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” Matthew 26:36-44

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35

“And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.” Mark 6:46

“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.” Luke 3:21

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:16

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

“And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’… Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.” Luke 9:18, 28-29

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’” Luke 11:1

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours… I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one… I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;” John 17:9, 15, 20

“who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,” Hebrews 5:7

All scriptural references taken from the New Kings James Version (NKJV).

FURTHER READING

Jesus Christ in the Bible

Jesus Is Yahweh: Examining the New Testament Use of Old Testament Passages to Demonstrate the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus as Yahweh: Examining Paul’s use of Lord in reference to Christ

Jesus Christ – The Exalted God-man!

Answers to 12 Anti-Trinitarian Arguments

“60 Questions For The Christians” Answered — Part 1: Trinity

Answers to “Top Ten Reasons to Reject Jesus’ Divinity!”