For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Deity of Jesus Christ
To Listen on YouTube, click here: The NIV Denies the Deity of Jesus Christ (Part 3)
11. Jesus is the Savior (Tit 1:4).
i. Tit 1:4 (KJV) - To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
ii. Tit 1:4 (NWT) - to Titus, a genuine child according to the faith we share: May you have undeserved kindness and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. PASS / FAIL (Passes on Savior, fails because it omits "Lord")
iii. Tit 1:4 (NIV) - To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. PASS / FAIL (Passes on Savior, fails because it omits "Lord")
B. There is no savior beside God (Isa 43:11).
i. Isa 43:11 (KJV) - I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.
ii. Isa 43:11 (NWT) - I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” PASS
iii. Isa 43:11 (NIV) - I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. PASS
C. Therefore, Jesus is God.
12. Thomas called Jesus his Lord and his God (Joh 20:28).
i. Joh 20:28 (KJV) - And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
ii. Joh 20:28 (NWT) - In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” PASS
iii. Joh 20:28 (NIV) - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” PASS
13. The things the apostles said about Jesus would be absurd and blasphemous to say about any other being (man or angel).
A. All things were made by Christ (Joh 1:1-3; 14; Eph 3:9; Heb 1:2; 1Co 8:6; Col 1:16).
a. Eph 3:9 (KJV) - And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
b. Eph 3:9 (NWT) - and should make everyone see the administration of the sacred secret that has been hidden through the ages in God, who created all things. FAIL
c. Eph 3:9 (NIV) - and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. FAIL
d. Heb 1:2 (KJV) - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
e. Heb 1:2 (NWT) - Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. FAIL (using "through" instead of "by" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
f. Heb 1:2 (NIV) - but 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. FAIL (using "through" instead of "by" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
g. 1Co 8:6 (KJV) - But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
h. 1Co 8:6 (NWT) - there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him. FAIL (using "through" instead of "by" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
i. 1Co 8:6 (NIV) - yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. FAIL (using "through" instead of "by" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
j. Col 1:16 (KJV) - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
k. Col 1:16 (NWT) - because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. FAIL ("other" is added to change the verse from saying that Jesus is the creator God to saying that he was created by God and then God created everything else through him, and using "through" instead of "by" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
l. Col 1:16 (NIV) - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. FAIL (using "in him" instead of "by him", and using "through" instead of "by", allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
ii. God created the heaven and the earth (Gen 1:1).
a. Gen 1:1 (KJV) - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
b. Gen 1:1 (NWT) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. PASS
c. Gen 1:1 (NIV) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. PASS
iii. Therefore, Jesus is God.
B. All things consist by Christ (Col 1:17).
a. Col 1:17 (KJV) - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
b. Col 1:17 (NWT) - Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist, FAIL ("other" is added to change the verse from saying that Jesus is the creator God to saying that he was created by God and then God created everything else through him)
c. Col 1:17 (NIV) - He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. FAIL (using "in him" instead of "by him" allows for the JW doctrine that God used Jesus to create all things)
ii. Consist v. - 1. intr. To have a settled existence, subsist, hold together, exist, be. Obs. (or arch., after Col. i. 17).
iii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iv. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
C. In all things He has the preeminence (Col 1:18).
a. Col 1:18 (KJV) - And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
b. Col 1:18 (NWT) - and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might become the one who is first in all things; FAIL
c. Col 1:18 (NIV) - And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. PASS
ii. Preeminence - 1. Higher rank or distinction; priority of place, precedence; superiority.
iii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iv. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
D. In Him all fulness dwells (Col 1:19).
a. Col 1:19 (KJV) - For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
b. Col 1:19 (NWT) - because God was pleased to have all fullness to dwell in him, PASS
c. Col 1:19 (NIV) - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, PASS
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
E. In Him dwelleth the all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col 2:9).
a. Col 2:9 (KJV) - For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
b. Col 2:9 (NWT) - because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily. FAIL
c. Col 2:9 (NIV) - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, FAIL
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
F. Jesus is the express image of God's person (Heb 1:3).
a. Heb 1:3 (KJV) - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
b. Heb 1:3 (NWT) - He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power. And after he had made a purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. FAIL (replaced "brightness" with "reflection")
c. Heb 1:3 (NIV) - The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. PASS
ii. Express adj. - 1. a. Of an image or likeness: Truly depicted, exactly resembling, exact. Now chiefly with reminiscence of Heb. i. 3.
iii. Image n. - 1. An artificial imitation or representation of the external form of any object, esp. of a person, or of the bust of a person. a. Such an imitation in the solid form; a statue, effigy, sculptured figure.
iv. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
v. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
G. He is made so much better than the angels (Heb 1:4).
a. Heb 1:4 (KJV) - Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
b. Heb 1:4 (NWT) - So he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs. FAIL (omitted "so much")
c. Heb 1:4 (NIV) - So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. PASS
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
H. He is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality (1Ti 6:15-16).
a. 1Ti 6:14-16 (KJV) - 14) That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15) Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16) Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
b. 1Ti 6:14-16 (NWT) - to observe the commandment in a spotless and irreprehensible way until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15) which the happy and only Potentate will show in its own appointed times. He is the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16) the one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal might. Amen. FAIL (worded in such a way which fails to state that Jesus Christ is the blessed and only Potentate)
c. 1Ti 6:14-16 (NIV) - 14) to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15) which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. FAIL (changed "who" to "God" which fails to state that Jesus Christ is the blessed and only Potentate)
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
I. He is the head of all things and all things are under His feet (Eph 1:22).
a. Eph 1:22 (KJV) - And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
b. Eph 1:22 (NWT) - He also subjected all things under his feet and made him head over all things with regard to the congregation, PASS
c. Eph 1:22 (NIV) - And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, PASS
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
J. Every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ and confess that He is Lord (Phi 2:9-11; Rev 5:13).
a. Phi 2:9-11 (KJV) - 9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
b. Phi 2:9-11 (NWT) - 9) For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, 10) so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground— 11) and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. PASS
c. Phi 2:9-11 (NIV) - 9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11) and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PASS
d. Rev 5:13 (KJV) - And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
e. Rev 5:13 (NWT) - And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.” PASS
f. Rev 5:13 (NIV) - Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” PASS
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
K. We shall all stand at the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of ourselves to Christ who is God (Rom 14:10-12).
a. Rom 14:10-12 (KJV) - 10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
b. Rom 14:10-12 (NWT) - 10) But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11) For it is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘to me every knee will bend, and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to God.’” 12) So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God. FAIL (changed "Christ" to "God" which removes the reference to the deity of Christ)
c. Rom 14:10-12 (NIV) - 10) You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12) So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. FAIL (changed "Christ" to "God's" which removes the reference to the deity of Christ)
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
L. God hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy (Eph 1:4).
a. Eph 1:4 (KJV) - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
b. Eph 1:4 (NWT) - as he chose us to be in union with him before the founding of the world, that we should be holy and unblemished before him in love. FAIL
c. Eph 1:4 (NIV) - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love PASS
ii. What man or angel could this be said of without blaspheming?
iii. It's not blasphemy to be said of Jesus because He is God.
M. Jesus abolished the old covenant in His flesh (Eph 2:15).
a. Eph 2:15 (KJV) - Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
b. Eph 2:15 (NWT) - By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, in order to make the two groups in union with himself into one new man and to make peace, PASS
c. Eph 2:15 (NIV) - by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, FAIL (changed "abolished" to "setting side")
ii. Only God can abolish his own law.
iii. Therefore, Jesus is God.
VI. The works that Jesus did demand that He is God (Luk 8:39).
a. Luk 8:39 (KJV) - Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
b. Luk 8:39 (NWT) - “Go back home, and keep on relating what God did for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what Jesus had done for him. PASS (although it omits "great things")
c. Luk 8:39 (NIV) - “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. PASS (although it omits "great things")
2. Only God can do wondrous things (Psa 72:18).
a. Psa 72:18 (KJV) - Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
b. Psa 72:18 (NWT) - May Jehovah God be praised, Israel’s God, Who alone does wonderful things. PASS
c. Psa 72:18 (NIV) - Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. PASS
B. The apostles did miraculous works, but they did it through the power that Christ gave them (Mar 16:17-20; Act 3:6-7).
C. Jesus did miraculous works by His own power and by His own word, proving He was God, such as the following.
3. Jesus knew men's thoughts (Luk 6:8; Luk 9:47; Joh 2:24-25).
a. Luk 6:8 (KJV) - But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
b. Luk 6:8 (NWT) - He, however, knew their reasoning, so he said to the man with the withered hand: “Get up and stand in the center.” And he rose and stood there. PASS
c. Luk 6:8 (NIV) - But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. PASS
d. Luk 9:47 (KJV) - And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
e. Luk 9:47 (NWT) - Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a young child, stood him beside him, PASS
f. Luk 9:47 (NIV) - Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. PASS
g. Joh 2:24-25 (KJV) - 24) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
h. Joh 2:24-25 (NWT) - 24) But Jesus would not entrust himself to them because he knew them all 25) and because he did not need to have anyone bear witness about man, for he knew what was in man. PASS
i. Joh 2:24-25 (NIV) - 24) But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25) He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. PASS
B. Jesus is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12-13).
i. Heb 4:12-13 (KJV) - 12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
ii. Heb 4:12-13 (NWT) - 12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13) And there is not a creation that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account. PASS
iii. Heb 4:12-13 (NIV) - 12) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. FAIL (added "it" and changed "his sight" to "God's sight" which removed the identification of the word of God as Jesus Christ)
C. Only God knows the hearts of the children of men (1Ki 8:39).
i. 1Ki 8:39 (KJV) - Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
ii. 1Ki 8:39 (NWT) - then may you hear from the heavens, your dwelling place, and may you forgive and take action; and reward each one according to all his ways, for you know his heart (you alone truly know every human heart), PASS
iii. 1Ki 8:39 (NIV) - then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), PASS
D. Therefore, Jesus is God.
4. Jesus walked on water (Mar 6:48-51).
5. Jesus controlled the weather (Mar 4:39-41).
A. God controls the weather (Job 37:9-14; Psa 148:8).
B. Therefore, Jesus is God.
6. Jesus created wine from water (Joh 2:7-11), and bread and fish from nothing (Mar 6:35-44).
A. God is the Creator (Isa 40:28).
B. Therefore, Jesus is God.
7. Jesus raised the dead (Mar 5:41-42; Joh 11:43-44).
8. Jesus gave sight to the blind (Mar 8:22-25).
9. Jesus cast out devils, and they feared Him, knowing that he was the Holy One (Mar 1:23-26).
A. God is the Holy One (Isa 43:15).
B. This is just one more proof that Jesus is God.
10. Jesus said that even if you don't believe Him, believe the works which prove that He is God (Joh 10:36-38).
