Origins of the Topic
Are God and Jesus the same?
Different denominations have different beliefs about the relationship between Jesus and God.
Commentary: This topic is very similar to, but not exactly, the topic on the Trinity. There are scriptures that further explain the trinity and that God and Jesus are the same in addition to their ability to be separate.
Old Testament
Jesus (God) created the heaven and the earth - Key Verse - 
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Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God <'elohiym> created the heaven and the earth. Commentary: Commentary: The Torah begins with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet <beit>, not the first <alef>, signifying that Jesus created the heaven and the Earth. The Torah would have started with alef if the subject of the sentence was God the Father.
Compare with John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And, with Revelation 19:13-16 [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.. Consider Psalm 2:7-9 [7] I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.. This confirms that one of the names of Jesus is "the Word" and that God and Jesus were one "the Word was God". John 1:1 also has two meanings, 1) Jesus was there in the beginning and 2) "In the beginning" is another name of Jesus - "In the beginning" literally was "the Word". This is a perfect parallel with the beginning of Genesis and the understanding that the Torah was written with perfect meaning (starting with beit and not aleph). |
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The Lord is the first and the last - Key Verse -
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Isaiah 41:4 - Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
Commentary: See Isaiah 44:6, 48:12.
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God is the first and the last - Key Verse -
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Isaiah 44:6 - Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Commentary: See Isaiah 41:4, 48:12.
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Jesus is the first and the last - Key Verse -
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Isaiah 48:12-17 [12] Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. [13] Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. [14] All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? the Lord hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. [15] I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. [16] Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his spirit, hath sent me. [17] Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. Commentary: Verse 16 indicates that Jesus is speaking. Compare verse 16 with John 5:30, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." This means that verse 12 is also Jesus talking saying that he is the first and the last. Also, verse 12 means that Jesus made the covenant ("my called") with Israel and it was Jesus that created the world (consistent with Genesis 1:1 beginning with the letter <beit>).
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New Testament
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Jesus was the Word and the Word was God - Key Verse -
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John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Commentary: See John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh".
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Jesus (the Word) was made flesh - Key Verse -
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John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Commentary: See John 1:1, "the Word was God". God has not been made flesh - Jesus was made flesh (and was God).
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This is an unqualified designation that Jesus is God - Key Verse -
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| 1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. |
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Jesus is Alpha and Omega - Key Verse -
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Revelation 1:8 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Commentary: See Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, 48:12 regarding "the first and the last." Compare the terms "Is", "Was", and "Is to Come" with Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I change not," and Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." The phrase is used for God in Revelation 16:5-7
[5] And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. [6] For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. See Revelation 1:18, which speaks of Jesus. |
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The Lord is Alpha and Omega - Key Verse -
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Revelation 1:11 - Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: Commentary: Alpha and Omega is the same as the first and the last. "Alpha and Omega" was not part of the Greek language in 90 A.D. The phrase was not used until about 200 A.D.
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Jesus is the first and the last. - Key Verse -
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Revelation 1:17-18 [17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Commentary: Did God die and live again? No, Jesus did. Yet here we have "first and the last."
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Jesus is the first and the last - Key Verse -
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Revelation 2:8 - And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
17 that states that the first and the last is God.
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Jesus is Alpha and Omega (and God) - Key Verse -
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Revelation 21:6-7 [6] And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. |
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Jesus is the first and the last - Key Verse -
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Revelation 22:13-16 [13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. [15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. [16] I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Commentary: See Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12-17 that states that the first and the last is God.
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Book of Mormon
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Jesus covenented with Israel - Key Verse -
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2 Nephi 7:12 - But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers, that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance.
Commentary: See Isaiah 48:12 where Jesus says he called Israel.
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Jesus is God - Key Verse -
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2 Nephi 8:12-14 [12] And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people, that save Christ should come, all men must perish. [13] For if there be no Christ, there be no God; and if there be no God, we are not, for there could have been no creation. [14] But there is a God, and he is Christ; and he cometh in the fullness of his own time. |
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Jesus is God - Key Verse -
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| 2 Nephi 11:78 - And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also, that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God; and that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; |
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Jesus is also the Son of God. Jesus created the heaven and earth - Key Verse -
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Mosiah 2:4 - For we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things, who shall come down among the children of men.
Commentary: The scriptures also state that Jesus is the son of God. Also see Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 48:13.
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God created the heaven and earth - Key Verse -
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Mosiah 2:13 - Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things both in heaven and in earth;
Commentary: See Mosiah 2:4 earlier in the chapter that states that Jesus created the heaven and earth. See also Genesis 1:1 where Jesus (God) created the heaven and the earth.
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Christ as God in the flesh would walk among men - Key Verse -
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Mosiah 5:44-45 [44] And because he said unto them, that Christ was the God, the Father of all things, and said that he should take upon him the image of man, and it should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; [45] Or in other words, he said that man was created after the image of God, and that God should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth; |
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Jesus covenanted with Israel - Key Verse -
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3 Nephi 7:6 - Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfill the law; therefore, it hath an end.
Commentary: Jesus covenanted with Israel. This is the same statement made in Isaiah 48:12.
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Jesus states that he is in God and God is in him - Key Verse -
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3 Nephi 4:44-45 [44] Behold I am Jesus Christ, the son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. [45] |
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Jesus and God are the same - Key Verse -
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| Mormon 1:88 - And also that the Jews, the covenant people of the Lord, shall have other witness besides him whom they saw and heard, that Jesus whom they slew, was the very Christ, and the very God; |
Statements of Belief
- No Found or Stated Position
- Consistent with Scripture
- Partially Consistent with Scripture
- Inconsistent with ScriptureAnabaptism -
Why do Christians Insist that God is a Trinity? Why do Christians insist on maintaining a doctrine that seems so baffling? Is there a Bible verse declaring God a trinity? No, there really is not. But neither does the Bible attempt to prove the existence of God. Nevertheless, we accept that fact because the evidence supporting it is so overwhelming. For similar reasons, we affirm the doctrine of the Trinity. It is supported by God-supplied evidence that leaves Christian faith with no other option.
Commentary: Stating that the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus and God are one and this is supported by God-supplied evidence is consistent with the scriptures.
Anglican -
Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings - Anglicanism also has traditionally affirmed that the second person of the Trinity is the Son, the Word of the Father, begotten of the Father from everlasting, the very and eternal God. The Son took human nature in the womb of Mary, and became the man Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ (which means Messiah or anointed one). Christ is of two whole and perfect natures, fully human and fully divine, indivisible, who truly suffered and died, but who was (and is) without sin in flesh and spirit.
Commentary: Stating that Jesus is fully divineand indivisible from God is consistent with the scriptures.
Assyrian Church -
The second Qnuma (person) of the most Holy Trinity, God the word, is called the Son of God. This same Son of God, God the Word, became man, and was called Jesus.
Jesus Christ is also called "The Lord" because He is God, as The Name of God is "The Lord."
Jesus Christ is also called "The Lord" because He is God, as The Name of God is "The Lord."
Commentary: Stating that Jesus Christ is God is consistent with the scriptures.
Church of Christ -
Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -
RLDS Doctrine and Covenants:
Section 6:10a - Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Section 12:5a - Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth; a light which cannot be hid in darkness;
Section 15:3c - And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.
Section 17:22d - O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O Go are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Section 17:23b - O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Section 6:10a - Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Section 12:5a - Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth; a light which cannot be hid in darkness;
Section 15:3c - And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.
Section 17:22d - O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O Go are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Section 17:23b - O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Commentary: The Doctrine and Covenants make statements about Jesus as the son of God and as God, which are consistent with the scriptures. The communion prayers include God, Jesus as the son of God, and the Holy Spirit, recognizing all three.
(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -
Godhead - Latter-day Saints view the members of the Godhead in a manner that corresponds in a number of ways with the views of others in the Christian world, but with significant differences. Latter-day Saints pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. They acknowledge the Father as the ultimate object of their worship, the Son as Lord and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the messenger and revealer of the Father and the Son. But where Latter-day Saints differ from other Christian religions is in their belief that God and Jesus Christ are glorified, physical beings and that each member of the Godhead is a separate being.
Commentary: Stating that Jesus (and God) are physical beings and that Jesus is separate from (and not) God is not supported by the scriptures.
Community of Christ -
GOD - We believe in one living God who meets us in the testimony of Israel, is revealed in Jesus Christ, and moves through all creation as the Holy Spirit. We affirm the Trinity—God who is a community of three persons.
TWO - Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, both fully human and fully divine. In him we see ourselves and we see God, whom he tenderly called Abba, the compassionate One, who gave birth to all of creation and declared it to be "very good." Together with the Holy Spirit, they are one.
Commentary: Stating that Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are one is consistent with the scriptures.
Eastern Orthodox -
Islam -
Jehovah's Witnesses -
Is God a Trinity? In fact, the God of the Bible is never described as being part of a Trinity. Note these Bible passages:
"Jehovah our God is one Jehovah."--Deuteronomy 6:4.
"You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."--Psalm 83:18.
"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."--John 17:3.
"God is only one."--Galatians 3:20.
"Jehovah our God is one Jehovah."--Deuteronomy 6:4.
"You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."--Psalm 83:18.
"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."--John 17:3.
"God is only one."--Galatians 3:20.
Commentary: Stating that Jesus is not part of the Trinity (and not God) is inconsistent with the scriptures.
Judaism -
Lutheran -
What Lutheran's Believe: Lutherans believe in the Triune God. God created and loves all of creation -- the earth and the seas and all of the world’s inhabitants. We believe that God's Son, Jesus Christ, transforms lives through his death on the cross and his new life, and we trust that God's Spirit is active in the world.
The Athanasian Creed: Now this is the catholic faith: We worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the divine being. For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Spirit is still another. But the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory, coeternal in majesty...Thus the Father is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God: And yet there are not three gods, but one God.
The Athanasian Creed: Now this is the catholic faith: We worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the divine being. For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Spirit is still another. But the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory, coeternal in majesty...Thus the Father is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God: And yet there are not three gods, but one God.
Commentary: Recognizing the Triune God includes Jesus and God are one and not dividing the divine being are consistent with the scriptures.
Methodist -
Article II—Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made Very Man: The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.
Commentary: The Son who is the very eternal God is consistent with the scriptures.
Pentecostal -
About God - There is one God, who has revealed Himself as Father; through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. Jesus Christ is God manifested in flesh. He is both God and man. (See Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.)
THE SON OF GOD - The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (I Timothy 3:16).
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11). This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them" (II Corinthians 5:19).
We believe that, "in him [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).
THE SON OF GOD - The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (I Timothy 3:16).
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11). This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them" (II Corinthians 5:19).
We believe that, "in him [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).
Commentary: These statements are consistent with the scriptures.
Presbyterian -
VIII. Of Christ the Mediator - II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin: being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
Commentary: Recognizing that Jesus is the very and eternal God and which person is the very and eternal God is consistent with the scriptures.
Roman Catholic -
Seventh-Day Adventist Church -
Fundamental Beliefs - Son: God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
Commentary: Recognizing that God and Jesus were one is consistent with the scriptures.
Southern Baptist Convention -
God the Son - Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man.
Commentary: Recognizing that Jesus is fully God is consistent with the scriptures.