The following “Question“ was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and “Answered“ by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Nelly Kaye of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, from the tape, GC 1301-E, titled “Bible Questions and Answers Part 7.“  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

While Jesus was teaching, did He ever call on His powers of deity?

Answer

Yes. Jesus called on His powers of deity repeatedly to corroborate His teaching. He would teach and of course there would be the response of certain people, "Well, why should we believe this guy?" So in John 14:10 he says, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?” Do you have trouble believing the I am God? “ …the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwells in me, He doeth the works.” “Believe me,” or that is believe my word, literally, “…that I am in the Father and the Father in Me…” In other words believe my words about being God. Now here, "…or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.” John 14:11. “…believe Me for the very works’ sake.” 

At the end of the Gospel of John, the 20th chapter, the 30th verse, “And many other signs…” and what is a sign for? What does a sign do? Points to something, doesn’t it? A sign, it tells you, you are going somewhere, it points to something . Many signs pointing to something “did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these words are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” Jesus did many signs pointing to His deity. Many miracles and the Gospel of John records many of them. The Gospel of Matthew, is just loaded with them, as well as Mark and Luke. But Matthew, particularly. 

In Matthew 15;29, for example, “Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain and sat down.” “And great multitudes came," and of course this is a teaching setting, Jesus on a mountain in Galilee and the masses of humanity come. And they came, the “… lame, the blind, the dumb, the maimed, and many other, and put them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.” “Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be well, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel.” And that’s exactly what Jesus wanted them to do. He corroborated His constant teaching, His constant claims with many, many acts of deity.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's “MacArthur’s Questions and Answers“ by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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