WHO SAID JESUS IS GOD?

Middletown Bible Church's website (www.middletownbiblechurch.org) is my favorite source for Bible study materials. First, and most importantly, it presents the Word of God, rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15). In addition, they are one of the few sites I have found that does not have copy write restrictions; they want people to user their materials. In writing my blog, I have taken advantage of their generosity, and am truly grateful for their faithful work to teach disciples, thus fulfilling Matthew 28:20.

That being said, like all Bible resources, we need to be "Berean-like," and confirm for ourselves the accuracy of their teaching (Acts 17:11). When finding something that appears contrary to God's Word, we need to apply Philippians 4:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Having done so, I disagree in Middletown's stand "against Lordship Salvation." While it is true that trusting in Jesus as one's Savior is what saves a person, it is equally true that Jesus must be presented and received based upon His true identity. He is Lord! He is God!

JESUS SAID SO:
*** “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (Jn. 5:17-18).
*** “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (Jn. 8:58-59)
*** “I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him” (Jn.10:30-31).

ISAIAH SAID SO:
*** “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)” (Isa. 7:14).
*** “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” (Isa. 9:6).

THOMAS SAID SO:
*** “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

PAUL SAID SO:
*** “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
*** “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 9:5).

THE WRITER OF HEBREWS SAID SO:
*** “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” (Heb. 1:8).

JOHN SAID SO:
*** “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1).
*** “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:20).

AND PETER SAID SO:
*** “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:1).