Opus 2011-10, Basic Christian Beliefs: Jesus is God.

If there is one belief that unites Christians it is the divinity of Christ.  If there is one litmus test to tell if a group is a cult, it is the divinity of Christ.  Christians believe that Jesus Christ was fully God as well as fully man.  He has always existed.  He has always been God.  A simple summary of this is,

(John 1:1 KJV)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

There are many places in the New Testament that follow this theme.  For example, Paul says,

(Colossians 2:9 KJV)  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

You also have places where the context makes it clear that Jesus claimed to be God.  After a discussion with the Jewish Elders about who He was you get this response from those listening to him,

(Matthew 26:65 KJV)  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

The high priest understood Jesus was claiming to be God.  For this He was put to death.

There have been many heretical splinters of the church that have denied this understanding.  They have repeatedly been silenced by the orthodox believers.  The methods have not always been pleasant or even “Christian” but it was an important issue for them.

It should be an important issue for us.