Premise 1: The Incarnation is proof that God is real

If you were to type the question “Did Jesus really exist?” on Google the answer would be:

“Yes, virtually all scholars of antiquity, including those who aren’t Christian, agree that Jesus of Nazareth existed as a historical figure and lived in the first century.” Under “Historicity of Jesus” Wikipedia states: “The question of of the historicity of Jesus was generally settled in scholarship in the early 20th century.

Today scholars agree that a Jewish man named Jesus did exist.” Since Jesus was a real historical figure the question remains: “What did Jesus exist as—a merely human prophet, or was he God?

in·car·na·tion
/ˌinˌkärˈnāSH(ə)n/

a person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality.

The incarnation is intertwined with the concept of the Trinity which means tri-unity or tri-oneness, suggests that God exists in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) while remaining one God. The trinity means each member of the Godhead is equally God, each is eternally God, and each is fully God—not three gods but three persons of the one Godhead.

Each person of the trinity is equal in essence yet all three are their own personal expression of the one undivided divine nature. Jesus as the Son of God represents the 2nd person of the Trinity.

 

The Latin verb incarnare means “to make flesh.” The Incarnation, a central concept in Christianity, refers to the belief that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, became fully human while remaining fully God. It means that the eternal Son of God took on human form, dwelling among humanity and experiencing the same joys, sorrows, and temptations as humans, without being affected by sin. 

The Christian doctrine of incarnation, which states that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, is central to the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and a demonstration of God’s love and willingness to be intimately involved in humanity’s salvation. The incarnation of Jesus, the belief that God became human in the form of Jesus also provides historical proof that God existed before and after the incarnation.

Here’s how the incarnation is seen as evidence of God’s existence:

  • Direct Manifestation of God: The incarnation implies that God, who is usually unseen and transcendent, actively took on human form in Jesus, making Him a visible and tangible representation of God’s nature and will. 
  • Demonstrates God’s Power: Jesus’s ability to perform miracles, his sinless life, and ultimately his resurrection, are all seen as demonstrations of his divine power and nature, further pointing to his identity as God incarnate. 

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:1, 14

The apostle John states in verse 14 that while Jesus lived among them they were eyewitnesses of His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only son. In fact all four of the Gospels in the Bible are eyewitness testimonies about Jesus and his time on earth but they each have a distinctive emphasis. Matthew emphasizes his kingship, Mark his servanthood, Luke his manhood, and John his Godhood.

In opening verse of his gospel John wanted his readers to understand first and foremost—that Jesus was both divine and human. In the first chapter he introduced Jesus as the Word, who was with God in the beginning, who was God, and through whom creation happened.

The concept of “The Word” which is “logos” in the Greek was packed with meaning for both the Jews and Greeks. To the Greek philosophers, the logos represented the abstract reason and order prevalent in the universe. To the Jews the reference of Jesus as the “Word” meant that John was calling Jesus “the wisdom, revelation and the power of God in human form.”

Not only did the Word exist from all eternity, and have face-to-face fellowship with God the Father, but also the Word was God. That simple statement, only four words in both English and Greek (theos ēn ho logos), is perhaps the clearest and most direct declaration of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ to be found anywhere in Scripture

John MacArthur; Theologian; The Gospel of John Commentary

The primary emphasis of the Apostle John’s written eyewitness testimony was that Jesus was the incarnate “Word” and that his life on earth provided the most direct revelation of Himself ever given to man. The incarnation provides a tangible, historical, and humanized representation of God, suggesting that God is not simply an abstract concept but a real, active presence in the world. 

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.  And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.

Hebrews 1:1-2

As the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ is God’s final word to mankind: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” Creation and man’s conscience provide “general revelation” of God’s power, intelligence, and eternality.

Jesus coming to earth as the wisdom (logos) of God provided “special revelation” verbally, and behaviorally communicated specifics about God’s attributes, purposes, and holiness. The miracles Jesus performed publicly provided “special revelation” that objectively, and visibly demonstrated God’s power over death, nature, biology that provided proof that he was God.

The incarnation implies that God, who is usually unseen and transcendent, actively took on human form in Jesus, making Him a visible and tangible representation of God’s nature and will. 

Challenge Question: Did you know that the existence of Jesus as an historical figure is a settled fact in academia?

Premise 2: Jesus is God’s special revelation of His exact nature

In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, 
whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom also he made the universe. 
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory 
and the exact representation of his being

Hebrews 1:2-3

Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is not only the second member of the Trinity, but that He is “the exact representation of God”. Exact representation translates the Greek term used for the impression made by a stamp on a seal. The design on the stamp is reproduced on the wax. Jesus Christ is the reproduction of God. The Bible says Jesus is the perfect, personal imprint of God in time and space.

Jesus is a superior revelation of God. When we see him, we know just what the God of the universe is like. We know how he thinks. We know how he talks. We know how he relates to people. God has spoken in his Son. It is his ultimate communication, his final word, his consummate eloquence

Kent Hughes; Hebrews Anchor for the Soul

Jesus is said to be an “Exact Representation” which is the word “Charakter” in the Greek from which we get the english word “Character”. This phrase emphasizes that Jesus is not a mere copy or reflection, but rather a perfect and faithful portrayal of God’s divine essence. It suggests that Jesus shares in God’s being and attributes, like love, justice, and power. 

The Son’s power, wisdom, and goodness fully and accurately reveal to us the character and perfections of God. It is similar to saying that Jesus shares the same exact spiritual DNA that God does. He like God is perfectly holy, omniscient, and all-powerful.

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father

Jesus

In Colossians 1:15 the Apostle Paul called Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” The word image in the Greek means “Eikon” or precise copy, an exact reproduction. The Son, being “the image of the invisible God,” makes visible the One who is by nature invisible. Jesus is literally God made visible.

Challenge Question: What do you think Jesus was like? Is that how you think God is?

Premise 3: Jesus has the same power and omniscience as God

God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance,
and through the Son he created the universe. 
The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God,
and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.

Hebrews 1:1-3

The word “universe” is kosmos in the Greek. The writer of Hebrews is saying Jesus Christ is responsible not only for the physical earth; He is also responsible for creating time, space, energy, and matter. Jesus created the whole universe and everything that makes it function. The claim that Jesus sustains everything by his power implies that the energy in every atom, the rotation of the earth , and each of the constant laws of physics are controlled and sustained by his power.

The four eyewitness Gospel authors record a total of 37 miracles that Jesus performed publicly which either demonstrated his power over biology, chemistry, the laws of physics, and even death itself.

The God who made the rules that govern the universe also has the authority to set them aside. And on occasion He has, if it was necessary to serve His purposes

Billy Graham

Here are some of the miracles that demonstrate Jesus’s power and command over these things:

Miracle PerformedPower Displayed
Turns water into wine Over chemistry and molecular reconstruction
Heals a man while not being in his presenceControl over cellular health, time, space, circumstance
Heals many sick people at same placeCorporate control over physiology of people
Miraculous catch of fishControl of animal kingdom, time, circumstance
Cleanses a man with leprosyControl over diseases
Heals paralyzed manControl over cellular biology, disease, neuro health, cellular reconstruction
Jesus feeds 5,000 plus peopleAbility to create fish and bread instantaneously
Makes coin appear in a fish’s mouth at a distanceControl over animal kingdom, time and circumstance
Causes fig tree to die without touching itCommand over biology and nature
Causes wind and waves to stopCommand over nature and elements
Raises Lazarus from the deadCommand over life and death

The miracles Jesus performed provide “special revelation” of God’s unlimited power and provide substantiated proof that He was God. The miracles, which included healings, exorcisms, and control over nature, were seen as supernatural acts that only a divine being could perform. These events were intended to demonstrate God’s power and glory, and to reveal Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior. 

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father

John 10:37-38

Here Jesus states that if his works are done, people should believe the works, even if they don’t believe in him personally. This is intended to help people understand the truth of the Father’s presence in him and his own unity with the Father. 

Here’s a more detailed explanation of how miracles were seen as proof of Jesus’ divinity:
  • Unique Power and Authority:Jesus’ miracles showcased his power and authority over the physical world and the realm of the spirit. For example, he healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons, actions that were beyond the capacity of ordinary humans. 
  • Signs of God’s Kingdom:The miracles were often referred to as “signs” or “works,” which were intended to point people to the reality of God’s kingdom and the coming of the Messiah. Jesus’ actions demonstrated that God was at work in the world, bringing healing, deliverance, and hope. 
  • Confirmation of Jesus’ Identity:The New Testament emphasizes that Jesus’ miracles were performed to prove who he was and to confirm his claim to be the Son of God. For instance, the resurrection of Lazarus was a powerful sign of Jesus’ power over death and a demonstration of his divine nature. 
  • Evidence of God’s Glory:Miracles were seen as a manifestation of God’s glory and a way to glorify God by putting his power on display. The miracles showed God’s love, compassion, and concern for humanity, and they invited people to believe in him and receive his salvation. 
Thousands of people witnessed Jesus’s miracles and his power was widely known

Jesus’s power to perform miracles was not merely known or witnessed by the disciples and the individual recipients. His power to perform miracles was known throughout Galilee and Judea which covers an estimated 3,125 miles. People flocked to see him and on one point Jesus had to retreat in a boat to get away from them. Twice he preached and performed miracles to crowds well in excess of 5,000 each not counting women and children.

Multiple attestation refers to the principle that the more a story or saying appears in independent sources, the more probable its historicity. Besides the 15 or so New Testament authors, multiple ancient historians and early church fathers wrote about Jesus’s amazing feats of power.

Quadratus, a leader in Athens in the very early 2nd century even wrote that some of the people who were healed were still alive:

“Our Saviour’s works, moreover, were always present: for they were real, consisting of those who had been healed of their diseases, those who had been raised from the dead; who were not only seen whilst they were being healed and raised up, but were afterwards constantly present.  Nor did they remain only during the sojourn of the Saviour on earth, but also a considerable time after His departure; and, indeed, some of them have survived even down to our own times.”

While no ancient historians explicitly documented Jesus performing miracles in a way that is directly comparable to the accounts in the Gospels, some historical sources offer indirect evidence and contextual information that supports the idea that Jesus was perceived as a powerful figure who performed acts that were considered extraordinary or supernatural.

Here’s a breakdown of the relevant historical perspectives:

1. Tacitus’s Account in the Annals: 

Tacitus, a Roman historian, wrote about the Christians and mentioned a “Christus” who had been crucified under Tiberius, from whom the Christians were named. He did not specifically mention miracles, but he noted that the Christians worshiped Christus as a god and considered him a “wise man” who “wrought surprising feats”. This suggests that the Christians attributed some extraordinary qualities to Jesus, even if Tacitus didn’t elaborate on the nature of these feats.

2. Josephus’s Antiquities of the Jews: 

Josephus, a Jewish historian, also made references to Jesus in his Antiquities, mentioning him as a “wise man” who “had the power to perform miracles”. This statement, while not explicitly detailing miracles, hints at the belief that Jesus possessed supernatural abilities.

3. Justin Martyr’s First Apology: 

Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, claimed that there were public records of Jesus’ miracles, citing the “Acts of Pontius Pilate” as evidence. This assertion suggests that some historical records or legal documents may have existed that documented claims of Jesus performing miracles, though these documents have not survived to the present day.

The Gospels, and these writings offer valuable contextual information and hints that Jesus was perceived as a powerful figure who performed extraordinary or supernatural acts. 

The testimony of the critics

The Gospels tell us that there were Jewish leaders who not only opposed Jesus’ ministry but also denounced His miracles as the work of satanic powers rather than the power of God, (Matthew 9:34, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15).

What is interesting is that this appears to have been a consistent approach by opponents of Jesus and of Christianity. There are Rabbinic traditions in the Talmud, for example, that record that Jesus was a sorcerer using evil, magic arts he learned in Egypt.

The question is: How does Jesus doing miracles support belief in the existence of God? The flow of logic would go like this?

Jesus historically existed + Jesus did miracles +Miracles proved divine power = Jesus was God’s Son = God exist.

Does the fact people who lived 2,000 or 3,000 years ago believed in miracles mean that they were ignorant, superstitious, or gullible? Not when it came to miracles. They lived close to nature and knew firsthand the reality of storms, illness, leprosy, and death. They were well aware that people don’t come back to life and storms don’t stop at a word—not unless God made it happen.

Challenge Question: Do you believe Jesus really existed? If so, what as? A teacher, or profit? What if he did do miracles, what then?

Premise 3: Jesus Himself claimed to be God

If you type in “Is the Crucifixion of Jesus considered a historical fact by scholars” here is what you get:

Yes, the crucifixion of Jesus is widely considered a historical fact by both Christian and Jewish scholars, despite centuries of debate and discussion. While the details surrounding the event are not universally agreed upon, the core fact of Jesus’ execution by the Romans is supported by evidence from the New Testament, extra-biblical sources, and archaeological discoveries. 

Google

If you ask people why Jesus was crucified you might hear reasons such as his his perceived threat to Roman authority and his challenges to the established religious and political structures of the time. Or that Jewish leaders feared his growing popularity and that many people wanted him to become their King and challenge Roman Rule in the province.

But while these are certainly the reasons the religious and political power of the day hated him there was one sentence out of 36,450 words Jesus spoke that got Jesus crucified.

Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

Matthew 26:62-66

A close review of the Gospels will reveal that while political, and religious leaders such as the Pharisees, and Sanhedrin became heated and animated when Jesus performed miracles on the sabbath, or ate with tax collectors, and prostitutes. At least eight times in the Gospel accounts, people tried to seize Jesus and kill Him because of something He did or said… most of these incidences are when Jesus claimed to be equal with God.

Jesus did not die because the Jerusalem nasties couldn’t stand a souped up incarnation of Sesame Street. He died because he acted like the incarnate Son of God, spoke like the incarnate Son of God, and did not deny the accusation when the world hated him for being the incarnate Son of God.

Kevin Deyoung; Why Did They Crucify Jesus?

Jewish religious leaders opposed Jesus’ claims to divinity because in Jewish tradition they believed it was blasphemy for anyone to claim to be God, or be able to forgive sins which Jesus did repeatedly. Jesus knew that their imposed penalty for such actions was death by stoning. Jesus was not only aware of the danger he was repeatedly putting himself in, but even prophesied that it would lead to a brutal death to his disciples.

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Matthew 26:1

Jesus predicted is death three times. These predictions are found in Mark 8:31-33, 9:30-32, and 10:32-34, and parallel accounts are found in Matthew and Luke. Every time Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, or be equal with God he knew it was like putting a price on his own head—but He boldly did it anyway.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus explicitly references his deity through the “I am” statements, which appear seven times. Every one of these incidences would have been considered an offense worthy of death by the Jews.

“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)Jesus offers himself as the source of eternal life and sustenance. 
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)Jesus claims to be the source of spiritual illumination and truth. 
“I am the door” (John 10:7, 9)Jesus presents himself as the only way to salvation and access to God. 
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14)Jesus portrays himself as a caring and protective leader for his followers. 
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)Jesus asserts his power over death and the ability to give eternal life. 
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)Jesus declares that he is the sole path to the Father and the ultimate source of truth and life. 
“I am the true vine” (John 15:1)Jesus compares himself to a vine, with God the Father as the vinedresser, emphasizing his connection to God and the importance of abiding in him. 

lu·na·tic
/ˈlo͞onəˌtik/

someone affected with a severely disordered state of mind 

Jesus is the famous person in history. Christians form the majority in almost 158 different countries worldwide. The historical person whose name has been searched on Google most often is Jesus.

Jesus’s name became the most famous throughout the region of Galilee during his time on earth as well. Some people thought he was a promised king, a rabbi, prophet, carpenter’s son or messiah. Jesus repeatedly emphasized that what people believe about him is eternally important.

In a secularized world where religions are more and more relativized, the name of Jesus and who he is has become more relativized as well. Was Jesus just a moral teacher, an famous Jewish rabbi, a leader of a revolution etc. ? These are many of the same characterizations that were flying around when Jesus was alive.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.

Matthew 16:13-18
Jesus was not interested in political correctness or neutrality

I and the Father are one

John 10:30

When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” He wasn’t making meaningless, abstract statements. His divinity was central to His messages; Jesus regarded the two as inseparable.

Josh McDowell Ministry; Was Jesus Christ a liar, lunatic, or Lord?

The problem with statements like these was not just that they ultimately got Jesus killed, but that if they aren’t true what would Jesus be then? C. S. Lewis, the great writer, thinker, and Christian apologist wrote about what Jesus would really be if the things he said weren’t true.

Lewis was concerned that there were too many people who were saying about Jesus that He was a good teacher; that He was a noble, moral leader; that He was a religious revolutionary; that He was a man of immense compassion and great wisdom. And there always have been people who readily accept Jesus as a wise, moral, noble, and compassionate, and kind, insightful, exceptional teacher. C. S. Lewis was convinced that this is one option that is not possible.

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic– on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg– or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

C.S. Lewis; Mere Christianity

C.S Lewis is saying that Jesus could not be “Good, Moral, Trustworthy, Wise or a spiritual mentor because of one very important reason, and it is this: He claimed to be God. Lewis rightfully felt that as soon as Jesus claimed to be God, he eliminated Himself from that category, because good people, wise people, sensible people don’t think they’re God, and they don’t want you to think they’re God.

“As soon as Jesus declared that He was God the Son, that He had the same nature as God, as soon as He said, ‘If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen God,’ it was no longer possible,” said C. S. Lewis, “to simply designate Him as a good teacher. That is not open as an option. Good, sensible, wise men don’t make such outrageous claims.”

John MacArthur: Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

C. S. Lewis said “One of these three things is true” –

A. Jesus is either a lunatic, on the level of somebody who thinks he’s a poached egg

        B. He is a liar, at such a calculated and clever and extreme level as to probably be unequaled as a purveyor of deception

        C. He is Lord

        We must either worship Christ as God or despise or pity Him as man. John Gerstner

        Premise 4: The Son of God became man so we could become children of God

        He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

        e a man to enable men to become sons of God

        We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
        the only Son of God,
        eternally begotten of the Father,
        God from God, Light from Light,
        true God from true God,
        begotten, not made,
        of one Being with the Father.
        Through him all things were made.
        For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven:
        by the power of the Holy Spirit
        he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
        and was made man.

        Nicene Creed
        In the incarnation the whole human race recovers the dignity of the image of God

        Challenge Question: In three of the Gospels Jesus asked the disciples “Who do you think that I am”…how you aswer this question quote