Jesus' Divine Names, Works, and Worship

Jesus bears God's names, possesses divine attributes, performs divine works, and receives the honor due to God.

Summary

The New Testament identifies Jesus as God through a cumulative case: divine names are applied to Him, divine attributes belong to Him, divine works are His, divine worship is offered to Him, and Old Testament LORD passages are fulfilled in Him. These lines appear across Gospel, letter, sermon, hymn, and prophecy. Together they leave no biblical category for Jesus as a created spiritual being.

One Cumulative Case From The Whole New Testament

Each evidence family is clear on its own; their agreement shows that Christ's deity is woven into the structure of apostolic faith.

Names And LORD Passages

Jesus is called God in , , , and . He bears titles such as First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Savior, and Lord. John the Baptist prepares “the way of the Lord” from , and the Gospel identifies the arriving Lord as Jesus. Paul uses —calling on the LORD's name—for calling on Jesus in .

This is not the promotion of a second god. Jewish apostles place Jesus within the identity of the one God while distinguishing Him from the Father.

Attributes And Works

Jesus exists before Abraham and before creation, remains unchanged, knows His people completely, is present with disciples everywhere, and possesses all authority. He creates, sustains, gives life, forgives, sends the Spirit, governs providence, and judges the world.

Any one miracle might be performed by a prophet through delegated power. The full pattern is different: creation exists through and for the Son, life resides in Him, and final judgment belongs to Him so that all honor Him just as they honor the Father.

Worship, Prayer, And Equal Honor

Jesus receives worship from disciples before and after the Resurrection. Stephen prays for Jesus to receive his spirit; Paul calls on the Lord Jesus; the Church sings and confesses His name; every creature worships the Lamb with the One seated on the throne in .

Angels refuse worship because they are servants, but the Father commands angels to worship the Son in . The apostles did not drift into idolatry. They worshiped Jesus because He shares God's nature and throne.

Names, attributes, works, Scripture, and worship all answer the same question: Jesus Christ is Lord.
Support
  • The Deity Of Christ: places this cumulative evidence within the doctrine of the incarnate Son.
  • The Miracles Of Jesus: displays divine authority in concrete acts of compassion and judgment.
  • The King At God's Right Hand: explains Christ's throne, reign, and reception of universal allegiance.
  • and : place the universal confession due to the LORD upon Jesus Christ.
  • and : apply the Creator's eternality and unchanging nature to the Son.
  • : records universal worship of the Lamb together with the One on the throne.
Questions
Could This Be Delegated Authority?

Delegation explains a prophet performing a sign, but not Jesus being the uncreated agent and goal of creation, sharing preexistent glory, possessing life in Himself, receiving the Father's equal honor, or being worshiped by every creature. The Son is sent in His mission, yet the one sent is eternally divine.

Does Worship Only Mean Bowing?

Context decides the force of a word, and the New Testament context is unmistakable. Jesus receives prayer, hymns, invocation, faith for salvation, angelic worship, and the same cosmic praise directed to God's throne. The pattern exceeds ordinary respect and belongs to worship of the one true God.

Why Use A Cumulative Case?

Because Scripture reveals a person, not a password verse. A doctrine this central should explain the whole record. Christ's deity does: His titles fit His works, His works fit His attributes, His attributes fit His worship, and all fit the Old Testament's promises of the LORD coming to save.

Sources