The Case for the The Case for the Deity of ChristDeity of Christ

Part III: Mark, Matthew, and Luke-Part III: Mark, Matthew, and Luke-ActsActs

OutlineOutline

Intertextuality DefinedIntertextuality Defined Christological Intertextuality in Christological Intertextuality in

the Synoptic Gospels and Actsthe Synoptic Gospels and Acts SummarySummary

Question:Question:

How would Jewish readers, or How would Jewish readers, or hearers, of the Canonical Gospels hearers, of the Canonical Gospels have understood the Gospels’ have understood the Gospels’ depictions of Jesus?depictions of Jesus?

IntertextualityIntertextuality

The term The term intertextualityintertextuality refers to refers to “the act of embedding one text “the act of embedding one text inside another.”inside another.”

IntertextualityIntertextuality

““The embedded text might be a faint The embedded text might be a faint echo, which barely disturbs the primary echo, which barely disturbs the primary text, or a clanging cymbal which text, or a clanging cymbal which demands attention.”demands attention.”

—Steve Moyise, “Intertextuality and the —Steve Moyise, “Intertextuality and the Study of the Old Testament in the New Study of the Old Testament in the New Testament,” in Testament,” in The Old Testament in the The Old Testament in the New Testament: Essays in Honor of J. L. New Testament: Essays in Honor of J. L. NorthNorth, ed. Steve Moyise (Sheffield: , ed. Steve Moyise (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000), 14.Sheffield Academic Press, 2000), 14.

Christological Christological IntertextualityIntertextuality

This studies the ways in which the This studies the ways in which the Gospels’ authors utilized Hebrew Gospels’ authors utilized Hebrew Bible Scriptures to describe Bible Scriptures to describe Jesus’s identity.Jesus’s identity.

Synoptic GospelsSynoptic Gospels

This phrase refers to Mark, This phrase refers to Mark, Matthew, and Luke.Matthew, and Luke.

The word The word synopticsynoptic means “seen means “seen together.”together.”

Mark, Matthew, and Luke share so Mark, Matthew, and Luke share so much material in common that much material in common that scholars called them scholars called them synopticsynoptic Gospels. Gospels.

MarkMark

Mark 1:2-4 Mark 1:2-4

““As it is written in the prophet As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,Isaiah,‘See, I am sending my messenger ‘See, I am sending my messenger before your face,before your face,   who will prepare your way;    who will prepare your way;  the voice of one crying out in the  the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:wilderness:   “Prepare    “Prepare the way of the Lordthe way of the Lord,,   make    make hishis paths straight’… paths straight’…

Mark 1:2-4Mark 1:2-4

John the baptizer appearedJohn the baptizer appeared in the  in the wildernesswilderness, proclaiming a baptism , proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”of sins.”

Mark 1:6-7Mark 1:6-7

““Now John was clothed with Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey…locusts and wild honey…

Mark 1:6-7Mark 1:6-7

 … …He proclaimed, ‘The one who is He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I more powerful than I is coming is coming after meafter me; I am not worthy to ; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.” of his sandals.”

Malachi 3:1Malachi 3:1

““See, I am sending my messenger See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, to prepare the way before me, and the Lord (Adon) whom you and the Lord (Adon) whom you seek will suddenly come to his seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says indeed, he is coming, says YHWH of hosts.” YHWH of hosts.”

Isaiah 40:3Isaiah 40:3

““A voice cries out: ‘In the A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way wilderness prepare the way of of YHWHYHWH, make straight in the , make straight in the desert a highway desert a highway for our Godfor our God.’”  .’” 

Larry Hurtado Larry Hurtado Explains:Explains: ““Indeed, as Marcus has shown, Indeed, as Marcus has shown,

Mark then presents the Mark then presents the subsequent account of Jesus as subsequent account of Jesus as ‘the way of the Lord.’ Thereby ‘the way of the Lord.’ Thereby Mark both links Jesus’ appearance Mark both links Jesus’ appearance and activity with the scriptures of and activity with the scriptures of Israel…Israel…

Hurtado Continues:Hurtado Continues:

……and also makes a profound statement and also makes a profound statement about about Jesus, associating him closely Jesus, associating him closely with Godwith God ( (who is ‘the Lord’ originally who is ‘the Lord’ originally referred to in Isa. 40:3referred to in Isa. 40:3 and Mal. 3:1).” and Mal. 3:1).”

—Larry W. Hurtado, —Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003), Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003), 307. 307.

Mark 4:41Mark 4:41

““And they were filled with great And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, awe and said to one another, ‘‘Who then is this, that even the Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?wind and the sea obey him?’” ’”

Psalm 107:23-29Psalm 107:23-29 ““Some went down to the sea Some went down to the sea

in ships,in ships,   doing business on the mighty    doing business on the mighty waters; waters; 2424 they saw the deeds of they saw the deeds of the the LORD (YHWH)LORD (YHWH), , hishis wondrous wondrous works in the deep. works in the deep. 2525 For For he he commanded and raised the stormy commanded and raised the stormy windwind, which lifted up the waves of , which lifted up the waves of the sea…. the sea….

Psalm 107:23-29Psalm 107:23-29

2626 They mounted up to heaven, They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;they went down to the depths;   their courage melted away in    their courage melted away in their calamity; their calamity; 2727 they reeled and staggered like they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their drunkards, and were at their wits’ end…. wits’ end….

Psalm 107:23-29Psalm 107:23-29

2828 Then Then they cried to the LORD they cried to the LORD (YHWH)(YHWH) in their trouble, in their trouble,   and he brought them out from    and he brought them out from their distress; their distress; 2929 he made the storm be still,he made the storm be still,   and the waves of the sea were    and the waves of the sea were hushedhushed.” .”

Mark 4:37-41Mark 4:37-41

““A great furious storm aroseA great furious storm arose, , and the waves beat into the and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. already being swamped. 3838But he But he was in the stern, asleep on the was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’  not care that we are perishing?’ 

Mark 4:37-41Mark 4:37-41

3939HeHe woke up and woke up and rebuked rebuked the wind, and said to the the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Be still!’ Then the sea, ‘Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there wind ceased, and there was a great calm.was a great calm.  4040He said He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ Have you still no faith?’ 

Mark 4:37-41Mark 4:37-41

  4141And they were filled with And they were filled with great awe and said to one great awe and said to one another, ‘another, ‘Who then is this, Who then is this, that even the wind and that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”the sea obey him?’”

“…“…who stretches out who stretches out heavens heavens alonealone and and treads upon the treads upon the waves of (the) waves of (the) seasea...”—Job 9:8...”—Job 9:8

Isaiah 43:10-11Isaiah 43:10-11

““You are my witnesses, says the You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and know and believe me and understand understand that I am (that I am (ego eimiego eimi)). . Before me no God was formed, nor Before me no God was formed, nor shall there be any after me. shall there be any after me. I,I, I am I am (ego eimi)(ego eimi) God God, and besides me , and besides me there is no savior.”there is no savior.”

Isaiah 43:15-16Isaiah 43:15-16

““I amI am (ego eimi) (ego eimi) the LORD, the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King, Thus says Israel, your King, Thus says the LORD, who makes a way the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the in the sea, a path in the mighty waters.” mighty waters.”

““I Am” (Ego Eimi)I Am” (Ego Eimi)

The Greek phrase, The Greek phrase, ego eimiego eimi, , literally translates into English literally translates into English as “I am.”—Anne H. Groton, as “I am.”—Anne H. Groton, From Alpha to Omega: A From Alpha to Omega: A Beginning Course in Classical Beginning Course in Classical Greek. Revised Third EditionGreek. Revised Third Edition (Newburyport, MA: Focus (Newburyport, MA: Focus Publishing, 2000), 73.Publishing, 2000), 73.

Mark 6:48-51Mark 6:48-51

““When he saw that they were When he saw that they were straining at the oars straining at the oars against against an adverse windan adverse wind, , he came he came towards themtowards them early in the early in the morning, morning, walking on the sea walking on the sea ((thalassesthalasses)). He intended to . He intended to pass them by… pass them by…

Mark 6:48-51Mark 6:48-51

……But when they saw But when they saw him him walking on the seawalking on the sea, they , they thought it was a spirit and thought it was a spirit and cried out; cried out; 5050for they all saw for they all saw him and were terrified…. him and were terrified….

Mark 6:48-51Mark 6:48-51

……But immediately But immediately he spoke to he spoke to them and saidthem and said, ‘Take heart, ‘Take heart, , I I am (am (ego eimiego eimi)); do not be ; do not be afraid.’ afraid.’ 5151Then he got into the Then he got into the boat with them boat with them and the wind and the wind ceasedceased.” .”

Jesus identifies Jesus identifies Himself as Yahweh by Himself as Yahweh by adopting Yahweh’s adopting Yahweh’s own way of own way of identifying Himself…identifying Himself…saying saying I amI am.”.”

MatthewMatthew

Matthew 1:23Matthew 1:23

“‘“‘Look, the virgin shall conceive Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and bear a son,   and they shall name him    and they shall name him Emmanuel’,Emmanuel’,which meanswhich means, ‘God is with us, ‘God is with us.’” .’”

Duane A. Garrett and Jason S. DeRouchie, A Modern Grammar For Biblical Hebrew (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2009), 95.

Duane A. Garrett and Jason S. DeRouchie, A Modern Grammar For Biblical Hebrew (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2009), 95.

Duane A. Garrett and Jason S. DeRouchie, A Modern Grammar For Biblical Hebrew (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2009), 147.

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 1:23Matthew 1:23

Matthew translates the Hebrew Matthew translates the Hebrew phrase, “God with us,” for his phrase, “God with us,” for his audience.audience.

ImmanuelImmanuel in Isaiah 7:14 literally in Isaiah 7:14 literally translates from the Hebrew as: translates from the Hebrew as: “God with us.” “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23Matthew 1:23

This means that Matthew made This means that Matthew made an effort to emphasize the an effort to emphasize the name’s meaning for his readers.name’s meaning for his readers.

Irenaeus (2Irenaeus (2ndnd Century Century C.E.) Writes:C.E.) Writes:

““Carefully, then, has the Holy Ghost Carefully, then, has the Holy Ghost pointed out, by what has been said, pointed out, by what has been said, His birth from a virgin, His birth from a virgin, and His and His essence, that He is God (for the essence, that He is God (for the name Emmanuel indicates this)name Emmanuel indicates this).”.”

—Irenaeus, —Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.21.4

Matthew 4:8-10Matthew 4:8-10

““Again, the devil took him to a Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;… and their splendor;… 

Matthew 4:8-10Matthew 4:8-10

……and he said to him, ‘All these I and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will will give you, if you will fall down fall down and worshipand worship me.’…   me.’…  

Matthew 4:8-10Matthew 4:8-10

……Jesus said to him, ‘Away with Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! you, Satan! for it is written,for it is written,“Worship the Lord your God,“Worship the Lord your God,   and serve only him.”   and serve only him.”

Exodus 34:14Exodus 34:14

““For you shall worship no other For you shall worship no other god, because the Lord, whose god, because the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Matthew 2:10-11Matthew 2:10-11

““When they saw the star, they When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. On were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and…child with Mary his mother; and…

Matthew 2:10-11Matthew 2:10-11

……they knelt down and they knelt down and worshipped himworshipped him. Then, opening . Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”and myrrh.”

Matthew 28:8-10Matthew 28:8-10

““So they left the tomb quickly So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. tell his disciples. 99Suddenly Jesus Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and of his feet, and worshipped worshipped him.” him.”

Matthew 28:16-17Matthew 28:16-17

““Now the eleven disciples went to Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Jesus had directed them. 1717When When they saw him, they they saw him, they worshippedworshipped him; but some doubted.” him; but some doubted.”

Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20

““Go therefore and make disciples Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in of all nations, baptizing them in the the namename of the Father and of the of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritSon and of the Holy Spirit, , 2020and and teaching them to obey everything teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”that I have commanded you.”

““The The NameName of the Father, of the Father, the Son, and the Holy the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”Spirit…”

The Greek word Matthew uses for The Greek word Matthew uses for namename is singular. is singular.

This implies Matthew espoused This implies Matthew espoused the view that the Father, the Son, the view that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all shared the and the Holy Spirit all shared the same name in some sense.same name in some sense.

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” ““And behold I am with you all the And behold I am with you all the

days until the end of the age.”days until the end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:20—Matthew 28:20

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” ““In addition, Jesus’ promise of In addition, Jesus’ promise of

perpetual presence with his perpetual presence with his followers (28:20b) indicates that followers (28:20b) indicates that he is not simply their he is not simply their authoritative teacher but also a authoritative teacher but also a living and powerful force with living and powerful force with divine attributes…divine attributes…

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” …‘…‘I am with you always’ also I am with you always’ also

recalls the uniquely Matthean recalls the uniquely Matthean reference to Jesus as ‘Emmanuel’ reference to Jesus as ‘Emmanuel’ and the explanation of the name and the explanation of the name as ‘God with us’ in 1:23, these…as ‘God with us’ in 1:23, these…

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” … …two phrases are likely two phrases are likely

intentional echoes of each other intentional echoes of each other and forming a literary and forming a literary inclusioinclusio, a , a device that brackets the whole of device that brackets the whole of the Matthean story of Jesus.”—the Matthean story of Jesus.”—Larry Hurtado, Larry Hurtado, Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ, , 332.332.

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” ““When we remember that the When we remember that the

Gospel of Matthew begins with a Gospel of Matthew begins with a description of Jesus as Immanuel, description of Jesus as Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Matt. 1:23 ESV), ‘God with us’ (Matt. 1:23 ESV), Jesus’ closing statement…Jesus’ closing statement…

““I Am With You All the I Am With You All the Days…”Days…” ……can only be understood as a claim can only be understood as a claim

that his presence with the disciples that his presence with the disciples will be the very presence of God.”will be the very presence of God.”

—Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed —Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komozewski, Komozewski, Putting Jesus in His Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case For the Deity of Place: The Case For the Deity of ChristChrist (Grand Rapids, Michigan: (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2007), 118.Kregel Publications, 2007), 118.

LukeLuke

““The Lord…”The Lord…”

““Yet, along with this portrait of Yet, along with this portrait of the heroic man, Luke also the heroic man, Luke also projects a very high view of Jesus’ projects a very high view of Jesus’ transcendent significance. For transcendent significance. For example, much more frequently example, much more frequently than in other canonical Gospels than in other canonical Gospels Luke refers to the earthly Jesus Luke refers to the earthly Jesus as….as….

““The Lord…”The Lord…”

… ‘… ‘the Lord’ (e.g., 7:13, 19; 10:1, the Lord’ (e.g., 7:13, 19; 10:1, 39, 41; 12:42; 13:15; 17:5-6; 39, 41; 12:42; 13:15; 17:5-6; 18:6; 19:8; 22:61; 24:3, 34), 18:6; 19:8; 22:61; 24:3, 34), thereby (in deliberate thereby (in deliberate anachronism?) using the key term anachronism?) using the key term of early Christian liturgical of early Christian liturgical devotion.”—Larry W. Hurtado, devotion.”—Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ, 345., 345.

Luke 6:46Luke 6:46

““Why do you call me Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’‘Lord, Lord’, , and do not do what I tell you?”and do not do what I tell you?”

““Lord, Lord (Lord, Lord (Kurie, Kurie, KurieKurie)”)”

““This doubled form of address This doubled form of address occurs repeatedly in the occurs repeatedly in the Septuagint in place of the Hebrew Septuagint in place of the Hebrew ‘Lord YHWH’ (Deut. 3:24; 9:26; 1 ‘Lord YHWH’ (Deut. 3:24; 9:26; 1 Kings 8:53; Ps. 69:6; Ezek. 20:49; Kings 8:53; Ps. 69:6; Ezek. 20:49; Amos 7:2,5)…Amos 7:2,5)…

““Lord, Lord (Lord, Lord (Kurie, Kurie, KurieKurie)”)”

… …or ‘YHWH Lord’ (Pss. 109:21; or ‘YHWH Lord’ (Pss. 109:21; 140:7; 141:8), but never in 140:7; 141:8), but never in reference to anyone but YHWH.”reference to anyone but YHWH.”

—Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed —Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komozewski, Komozewski, Putting Jesus in His Putting Jesus in His PlacePlace, 160 , 160

Acts Acts

Luke-ActsLuke-Acts

Luke-Acts used to be a united Luke-Acts used to be a united work prior to the New work prior to the New Testament’s formation.Testament’s formation.

Luke also wrote Acts, so it is Luke also wrote Acts, so it is helpful to examine the ways Jesus helpful to examine the ways Jesus is portrayed in Acts, too.is portrayed in Acts, too.

““Everyone who calls Everyone who calls on the name of YHWH on the name of YHWH shall be saved.”—Joel shall be saved.”—Joel

2:322:32

Acts 2:21Acts 2:21

““Then everyone who calls on the Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (YHWH) shall name of the Lord (YHWH) shall be saved.”be saved.”

Acts 2:21Acts 2:21

““Peter quoted the prophet Joel: Peter quoted the prophet Joel: ‘Then everyone who calls on the ‘Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Acts 2:21, quoting Joel 2:32, (Acts 2:21, quoting Joel 2:32, which has YHWH). At the climax which has YHWH). At the climax of his sermon, Peter concludes, of his sermon, Peter concludes, ‘Therefore…‘Therefore…

Acts 2:21, 36Acts 2:21, 36

……let the entire house of Israel let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified’ this Jesus whom you crucified’ (Acts 2:36). In the context of (Acts 2:36). In the context of Luke’s writings (Luke and Acts), Luke’s writings (Luke and Acts), this statement…this statement…

Acts 2:21, 36Acts 2:21, 36

……does not mean that Jesus was does not mean that Jesus was not ‘Lord’ prior to his not ‘Lord’ prior to his resurrection, since Jesus was Lord resurrection, since Jesus was Lord and Messiah (Christ) even when and Messiah (Christ) even when he was born in Bethlehem (he was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:11)…

Acts 2:21, 36Acts 2:21, 36

……Rather, Peter means that God Rather, Peter means that God had exalted Jesus so that people had exalted Jesus so that people would now recognize him for who would now recognize him for who he truly is, both Lord and he truly is, both Lord and Messiah…Messiah…

Acts 2:21, 36Acts 2:21, 36

… …The idea is similar to Paul’s The idea is similar to Paul’s statement that in the resurrection statement that in the resurrection God ‘declared’ Jesus ‘to be Son of God ‘declared’ Jesus ‘to be Son of God with power’ (Rom. 1:4).”God with power’ (Rom. 1:4).”

—Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed —Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komozewski, Komozewski, Putting Jesus in His Putting Jesus in His PlacePlace, 160-161, 160-161

Acts 7:59-60Acts 7:59-60

““While they were stoning While they were stoning Stephen, Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus,he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down down and cried outand cried out in a loud in a loud voice, voice, ‘Lord‘Lord, do not hold this sin , do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.”this, he fell asleep.”

Acts 7:59-60Acts 7:59-60

Stephen “calls upon” Jesus twice.Stephen “calls upon” Jesus twice. Stephen “calls upon” Jesus as Stephen “calls upon” Jesus as

Jews “called on” YHWH in the Jews “called on” YHWH in the Hebrew Bible, requesting help.Hebrew Bible, requesting help.

Calling on Jesus = Calling on Jesus = Calling on YHWHCalling on YHWH

““In Acts, then, Jesus is the Lord to In Acts, then, Jesus is the Lord to whom the disciples pray. He is whom the disciples pray. He is the one who knows the hearts of the one who knows the hearts of all people, on whom the disciples all people, on whom the disciples call in the moment of their death, call in the moment of their death, whose name…whose name…

Calling on Jesus = Calling on Jesus = Calling on YHWHCalling on YHWH

……they live to glorify and die to serve, they live to glorify and die to serve, and whose word they believe, and whose word they believe, proclaim, and teach. proclaim, and teach. In all of these In all of these ways, the identification of Jesus as ways, the identification of Jesus as ‘Lord’ equates him with the Lord ‘Lord’ equates him with the Lord YHWH of the Old TestamentYHWH of the Old Testament.”.”—Robert M. Bowman and J. Ed —Robert M. Bowman and J. Ed Komozewski, Komozewski, Putting Jesus in His Putting Jesus in His PlacePlace, 161 , 161

Larry Hurtado Writes:Larry Hurtado Writes:

““But whatever we may imagine But whatever we may imagine that the process involved, it is that the process involved, it is clear that the exalted view of clear that the exalted view of Jesus reflected in associating him Jesus reflected in associating him with the with the KyriosKyrios of biblical texts, of biblical texts, and…and…

Hurtado Continues:Hurtado Continues:

……the cultic veneration of Jesus as the cultic veneration of Jesus as illustrated inillustrated in ‘calling upon’ him/his ‘calling upon’ him/his name, appeared very earlyname, appeared very early, and , and quickly became powerfully influential quickly became powerfully influential among various circles of the young among various circles of the young religious movement.”religious movement.”

—Larry W. Hurtado, —Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ, , 185.185.

SummarySummary The Synoptic Gospels’ authors casted The Synoptic Gospels’ authors casted

Jesus as YHWH by applying passages Jesus as YHWH by applying passages about YHWH from the Hebrew Bible about YHWH from the Hebrew Bible to Jesus.to Jesus.

Jesus used God’s name, I Am, to Jesus used God’s name, I Am, to identify himself (Mark 6:50).identify himself (Mark 6:50).

In the ears of the first century Jews, In the ears of the first century Jews, therefore, Jesus did declare, “I am therefore, Jesus did declare, “I am God.”God.”

SummarySummary

First century Christians prayed to First century Christians prayed to Jesus just as they prayed to Jesus just as they prayed to YHWH.YHWH.

People honored Jesus with the People honored Jesus with the type of worship that is due only to type of worship that is due only to YHWH.YHWH.

ResourcesResources

Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest ChristianityEarliest Christianity (William B. (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003), by Larry W. Hurtado2003), by Larry W. Hurtado

Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case For the Deity of ChristFor the Deity of Christ (Kregel (Kregel Publications, 2007), by Robert M. Publications, 2007), by Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed KomozewskiBowman Jr. and J. Ed Komozewski