Almost all wrong doctrinal belief centers around the person of Jesus. The person and work of Christ continue to be areas of intense theological thought and debate. One of those questions relates to the divinity of Christ. We have many questions about the person of Jesus. For example, when did Jesus understand that He came from the Father? At what point did He know His life work? His death on the cross? While these questions are very difficult and very involved, Paul’s letter to the Colossians deals with the basic question of “Is Jesus God?”

The New Testament as a whole is clear about the divinity of Jesus.

While Scripture does not use this language, the doctrine of the trinity and the place of Jesus are developed directly from Scripture.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).

Paul used different language but with the same meaning. Paul stated that the fullness (Greek, Pleroma) of God dwelt in Jesus.

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile himself to all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

Paul also made clear that Christ is the Creator.

“For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

These verses seem clearly to teach that Christ was preexistent, the Creator by whom all things were created. Though He came to be the once for all sacrifice for sin, the fullness of God dwelt in Him.

He obviously is to be worshiped and obeyed. He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He is the transcendent God who came to dwell among us.