BC 2.3

2.3. The Deity of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only Son of God- eternally begotten, not made or created, for then he would be a creature. He is one in essence with the Father; coeternal; the exact image of the person of the Father and the "reflection of God's glory," (Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3) being like the Father in all things. Jesus Christ is the Son of God not only from the time he assumed our nature but from all eternity, as the following testimonies teach us when they are taken together. Moses says that God created the world; (Gen. 1:1) and John says that all things were created through the Word, (John 1:3) which he calls God. The apostle says that God created the world through the Son. (Heb. 1:2) He also says that God created all things through Jesus Christ. (Col. 1:16) And so it must follow that the one who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ already existed before creating all things. Therefore the prophet Micah says that Christ's origin is "from ancient days." (Mic. 5:2) And the apostle says that the Son has "neither beginning of days nor end of life." (Heb. 7:3) So then, he is the true eternal God, the Almighty, whom we invoke, worship, and serve.

Proof texts

• Matt. 17:5 — [5] He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
• John 1:14, 18 — [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
• John 3:16 — [16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
• John 14:1-14 — [1] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” [8] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. [12] “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
• John 20:17, 31 — [17] Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
• Rom. 1:4 — [4] and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
• Gal. 4:4 — [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
• Heb. 1:2 — [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
• John 5:18, 23 — [18] This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. [23] that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
• John 10:30 — [30] I and the Father are one.”
• John 14:9 — [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
• John 20:28 — [28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
• Rom. 9:5 — [5] To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
• Phil. 2:6 — [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
• Col. 1:15 — [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
• Titus 2:13 — [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
• John 8:58 — [58] Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
• John 17:5 — [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
• Heb. 13:8 — [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
• Gen. 1:1 — [1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
• John 1:1-3 — [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
• Heb. 1:2 — [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
• 1 Cor. 8:6 — [6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
• Col. 1:16 — [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Matt. 17:5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 24 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. HC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

HC Q8