The earliest Christians believed Jesus to be God.

One of the most significant questions amongst religious debaters within the 21’s century is without a doubt the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. In order to come to a conclusion of such inquiries, many turn to the beliefs of the  earliest followers of Christianity, mainly, the ones concerning his identity and nature. In an attempt to prove his Godly essence, these come to examine the doctrines of Christians who existed within the 1st and 2nd  centuries in human history. Although these stand convincing, such individuals never walked or talked with the Lord.

The 12 apostles or disciples are without a doubt the most credible followers of Jesus. These individuals were directly chosen by the Lord and it is these who PHYSICALLY walked and talked with him. Therefore, it seems logical to conclude that if humanity desires to be given answers to the questions they seek concerning Christ, then they must turn to what the disciples did and what they believed.

In the opening section of the gospel of John, what we come to read is quite interesting. Within the very first passage of his work, he informs the reader that Christ existed before the world began. This makes him eternal. He also tells the world that Jesus was with God and that he WAS God. This undoubtedly makes Christ both part of the trinity and God himself. However, many continue to say that in the Greek, the phrase is not God but "a' God. Such arguments will be answered in a future post, but as if to prevent misunderstandings concerning John's opening passage such as the one just brought forth, he informs us that Jesus was the creator of the heavens and the earth. Such a saying should be reserved for God and God alone.

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[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

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The next passage which displays to us that the disciples believed Jesus to be God is found within the 14th chapter of the gospel of Matthew. Within this event, Jesus tells his disciples to leave the land on ship while he bid farewell to the multitudes. When the ship was being attacked by the waves, they found Jesus to be walking to them on the water. What we come to read now is quite amazing. Not only did Jesus have the ability to walk on the sea, but he also had the power to control nature, mainly, calming the storm. The disciples then told him that he was indeed the Son of God and fell on their knees and worshiped him. This does not only prove to us that Jesus was God, but that he was not a normal Son of God as many come to believe. Notice that the disciples worship Christ while they call him by such a title. This displays unto us that Son of God, as used for Christ, is not limited to the definition of being merely a follower of the Lord, but something divine.

Despite the evidence provided within Matthew’s gospel, many come to say that the word worship, when it is applied to Christ, is limited to meaning respect or adoration. Although everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, such things are not supported by the biblical narrative. Within the 4th chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells Satan that worship is due only to God. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. The Greek word which is found here is προσκυνήσεις. When we look at Matthew 14, the same Greek word for worship is used:προσεκύνησαν. Herein is the evidence that the same word Jesus used to tell Satan that God alone should be worshiped is the same word used to refer to the worship that the disciples provided to Jesus, and he did not stop them from doing so!

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[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
[28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
[29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
[30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
[32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
[33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

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The last passage which we are going to look at is found within the 20th chapter of John's gospel. When we come to this section, we see that Jesus has already been risen from the dead and appeared to many of his disciples, proving his words of the resurrection to be true. Yet, one of his disciples, Thomas, whom Jesus did not appear to yet, refused to believe in their testimony. He went as far as to say that if he does not put his finger and hands within his nail marks and stab wound, he will not believe. We then read that Jesus finally appeared unto him and Thomas spoke the following words: My lord and My God. Many who stand in opposition to Christ’s divinity believe that this saying is the equivalent of our modern day expression of amazement. For example, when someone stands in the midst of an unbelievable circumstance, he may say to himself, “My lord and My God”.  The reason why this conclusion is false is because of the following: When we carefully read the passage, it clearly writes that Thomas SAID UNTO HIM. In other words, this saying was directed to Jesus. In the Greek, the phrase SAID UNTO HIM is εἶπεν αὐτῷ. the Greek word afto generally means THIS or THAT. For example, one can say “Bring me that (afto)". This word can also mean HIM or HE. For example “ He (aftos) told me to go there”. The definition of this word is dependent upon the context in which it is used. Notice that after Thomas had told Jesus this saying, Christ tells him that he is blessed for believing. In other words, he is blessed due to him believing that he is Lord and God, the risen Christ. Hence, the context of this passage forces the meaning to refer to Christ because 1) this conversation is between Christ and Thomas. 2) The passage reads that he SAID UNTO HIM and 3) Christ blesses him for such a statement.

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[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
[27] Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

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