So far in this series, I’ve dealt primarily with two different kinds of myths about Jesus.

Secular myths–like that Jesus didn’t actually rise from the dead or that he is in agreement with other world religious teachers.

I’ve also dealt with myths started by Christians–like that Jesus wants his followers to be rich or that he was an only child.

Tonight, I want to deal with a myth started by misguided people who were trying to do something new or couldn’t accept the doctrine of the Trinity for one reason or another.  Two prime examples of groups that have perpetuated the myth that the New Testament doesn’t clearly teach that Jesus was God in the flesh are Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

So, why have most believers in the world understood Jesus as the incarnation of God?  

Well, beyond the fact that Jesus received worship, is called a divine name (Lord) throughout the New Testament, claimed unity with his Father, and numerous other foundational facts that lead one to this conclusion, there are actually no few than 7 verses in the New Testament that directly say Jesus is God.

Here they are below:

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

 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)

And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. (Romans 9:5)

 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13)