Throughout the NT, things are attributed to Jesus which are the prerogative of God alone. Things such as being worshipped (Matthew 2:2; 14:33) and accepting worship (John 20:28). Jesus also encouraged the disciples to pray to Him (John 14:14). And He is described by the Apostle Matthew as being sovereign over nature (Matthew 8:23-27). Moreover, the Apostle John declares Jesus to be the Creator in John 1:3, and according to Colossians 1:17 Jesus sustains all created things.
Crucially, Jesus forgives sin (Matthew 9:1-8), and he will be the judge on the last day (John 5:22ff). Listen to what God’s Word says: For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son, just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.
Now, you will agree with me that forgiving sin and judging mankind are the prerogatives of God alone. And we know that God protects his Word, so these things would not be said of Jesus if he were not God. Scripture expressly teaches that while they are one, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinguished from each other, even though each person is God. For a fuller explanation on that, please listen to number four in our 52 Questions series, where we discuss the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
As a Muslim, you will agree that there is only one God. And while, philosophically speaking, Christians and Muslims could both be wrong, we cannot both be right. Dear Muslim lady, Christians do not define God according to their personal version of ‘truth’. That would make no sense and it would result in chaos and confusion. Rather, God’s truth is fixed and exists objectively outside of our personal opinions. Therefore, Christians believe that Jesus is God, based on how He has revealed Himself in the Bible.
We have shared how Jesus was worshipped and that He accepted worship. We also shared how He encouraged His disciples to pray to Him, and that He raised the dead and forgave sin, by His own power and will. We also shared that He is also the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Dear Muslim lady, crucially, Jesus will be the judge on the last day (John 5:22-24; Acts 10:42). The writer to the Hebrews under the inspiration of God warns that ... it is appointed for man to die once, and after this the judgement, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.
What does this mean? Well, we know that people only die once. This is true with a few exceptions, such as those whom Jesus miraculously raised from the dead during His earthly ministry. Therefore, this passage teaches us that Jesus is coming again for those who have already believed in His sacrifice for their sins on the cross. It also teaches us that God was fully satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice on behalf of those who believe in Him. At His Second Coming, Jesus will not deal with sin because His work was fully completed in removing sins through His sacrifice at his first coming. Everything that needed to be done has been done by Jesus. What is required of us is repentance and submission to His will. Will you be among those who are eagerly waiting for His return?
The truth about Jesus demonstrates that there are irreconcilable theological differences between our two faiths. It is important to know what these are and to ask God to help us understand the truth. Please do watch our previous videos in the 52 Questions Series and subscribe for future updates. May the Lord bless you and lead you into all Truth.