Jesus is God! Hands down it is true

The H.A.N.D.S. Framework: Understanding Jesus’ Divine Nature

Christian theology has revolved around Jesus’ divinity since the early church, and this issue remains just as captivating today as it was in the past. Our examination of Jesus as God becomes clearer when we structure our discussion using the H.A.N.D.S. framework. I certainly did not come up with this acronym but it is very helpful for memory and process.

The H.A.N.D.S. approach investigates Jesus’ participation in God’s:

• Honours

• Attributes

• Names

• Deeds

• Seat
  

The H.A.N.D.S. framework validates Jesus’ divine status while addressing typical objections to His divinity. In the following sections, we will examine all the components of the H.A.N.D.S. framework, strengthening our discussion with NIV scriptural references and addressing major counter-arguments accurately. Is Jesus God? The answer is YES!!! The Scriptures and the testimony of the early Church all tell us he is!

1. HONOURS: Sharing in the Honours Due Only to God

Jesus’ life and ministry are marked by a reception of honours that, in the ancient world, were reserved exclusively for God. Early Christians recognised that Jesus received worship and adoration directed solely toward the Divine, setting Him apart from ordinary humans.

For example, after His resurrection, Thomas addressed Him with the words, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NIV), a response that left no room for ambiguity about Jesus’ divine status.

The honours bestowed on Jesus extend beyond verbal acknowledgements. The early church did not merely view Him as a master teacher or a moral exemplar; instead, they worshipped Him in the same way they worshipped the one true God. This worship was expressed in prayers, liturgies, and even through Jesus’ exalted position in healing and miracle narratives. Such practices reflected a conviction that Jesus possessed the very essence of deity and thus was worthy of the same honour and reverence as Yahweh.

Furthermore, the New Testament demonstrates that Jesus is accorded authority over creation, salvation, and judgment.

Colossians 1:16 (NIV) asserts, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…” 

This verse reinforces that Jesus is not merely a participant in creation but the very agent through whom creation came into being, a role reserved for God alone. By receiving these divine honours, Jesus is shown to embody a status that defies any purely human categorisation.

In light of Jesus’ reception of worship and His role in creation, it becomes clear that the honours granted to Him underscore His divinity. The reverence that early Christians demonstrated signals an acknowledgment that Jesus shared in honours due only to God, affirming that He is not a subordinate being but co-redeemer of the universe.

2. ATTRIBUTES: Possessing the Divine Attributes

A central way of arguing for the deity of Jesus is found in the observation that He possesses attributes that are uniquely divine. Attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and eternal existence are traits that distinguish God from created beings. Throughout the Gospel narratives, Jesus displays authority and wisdom that far exceed those of mortal men.

Consider Jesus’ limitless compassion, His ability to perform miracles, and His command over nature and even death.

When Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:39 NIV: “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm”),

He demonstrates control over natural elements—a power that mirrors the sovereignty ordinarily attributed only to God. His miracles, which include raising the dead (John 11:43-44 NIV) and forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-12 NIV), are concrete demonstrations of divine power presented in human form.

Moreover, Jesus’ self-identification often alludes to eternal and uncreated existence.

In John 8:58 (NIV), He declares, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” 

This statement, echoing the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (NIV: “I AM WHO I AM”), served as an unmistakable claim not only to preexistence but also to divinity. The use of the name “I am” was a direct challenge to the traditional boundaries between Creator and creature.

Jesus’ attributes are further evidenced by His authority over life and death, His comprehensive knowledge, and His intimate understanding of human frailty coupled with divine compassion. Each attribute elevates Him from the status of a prophet or teacher to that of the eternal God. In embodying these attributes, Jesus does not merely act as a surrogate for God but is Himself fully divine, possessing the complete and immutable attributes of the Creator.

Addressing Counter-Arguments

Counter-argument proponents sometimes claim that Jesus’ miraculous powers could be the result of divine appointment rather than divine nature; however, the New Testament repeatedly attributes these supernatural acts to His inherent authority and identity. In performing deeds reserved for God, Jesus refutes this contention by establishing that His divine attributes are not temporary endowments but are integral to His being.

3. NAMES: Bearing the Names That Belong Only to God

Names carry significant theological weight, and in the ancient world, specific names indicated unique identity and status. The titles attributed to Jesus by His followers, as well as those found in the Scriptures, affirm His divine identity.

Among these, “Lord,” “Immanuel” (meaning “God with us”), and “Son of God” are especially notable.

When the early church proclaimed Jesus as “Lord,” they were echoing the profound monotheistic declaration found in Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one”).

This declaration was central to Jewish belief, and by applying it to Jesus, His followers affirmed that He shared in the name and essence of Yahweh. Similarly, in the Gospel of Matthew, the birth of Jesus is explained with the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 (NIV: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”), which underscores that in Jesus, God is tangibly present among us.

The title “Son of God” was not merely a metaphor or a mark of royal favour; it signified a unique filial relationship with God that was unprecedented.

In John 1:18 (NIV) we read, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” This verse affirms not only the special status of Jesus as the Son but asserts His full divinity.

Responding to Critics

Some critics argue that the use of divine names in reference to Jesus could be seen as honorific rather than indicative of actual deity. However, the early church clearly intended these names to affirm the identity of Jesus as the incarnate God. The consistent use of these names in worship, liturgy, and theological reflection underscores a firm conviction: Jesus not only represents God but is God incarnate, fully deserving of divine honour and worship.

In summary, by bearing the names that only God possesses, Jesus makes an unambiguous claim to deity. His self-identification and the titles attributed to Him serve as powerful attestations to His divine nature, bridging the gap between the human and the divine.

4. DEEDS: The Divine Deeds Reflecting God’s Work

A compelling demonstration of Jesus’ divinity is found in the deeds He performed—acts that mirror the creative, redemptive, and judicial work of God. The New Testament is replete with accounts of miraculous deeds that underscore His power over nature, life, and even time.

Perhaps the most striking deed is the role of Jesus as Creator.

Colossians 1:16 (NIV) states, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…” which clearly attributes the act of creation not to a secondary agent but directly to Jesus Himself. This decree aligns with the Old Testament understanding that creation is the domain of the eternal God, setting Jesus apart from all created beings.

Jesus’ earthly ministry is filled with miracles that serve as signs of His divine authority.

From turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11 NIV) to feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21 NIV), His miracles demonstrate power over the physical world that no human could achieve on their own. These acts go beyond mere displays of benevolence or skill; they are indicative of a divine being who holds sway over the forces of nature and the laws of physics.

Moreover, Jesus’ most dramatic deed—His resurrection—stands at the pinnacle of His redemptive work. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV) Paul recounts that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…” 

The resurrection is not simply a miraculous event; it is the divine seal on all that Jesus claimed and taught. Through His resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He has power over death, affirming His status as the uncreated Creator and the Judge of all.

Answering Objections

Critics, particularly those influenced by Arianism or similar doctrines, have questioned whether these deeds necessarily imply divinity, suggesting instead that Jesus might have been an extraordinary man granted access to God’s power. However, the totality of Jesus’ actions—including His creative role, miracles, and resurrection—collectively confirm that His deeds are not those of a mere prophet but of God Himself.

In performing these deeds, Jesus not only fulfils Old Testament prophecies but also subverts any attempt to demote Him to a subordinate being.

Importantly, when we juxtapose Jesus’ deeds with His claims of intimacy with the Father, the picture becomes unmistakable: His actions in the world are direct reflections of the work of the eternal, uncreated God who governs all things. Thus, the divine deeds of Jesus add a robust experiential dimension to the argument for His deity, resilient against attempts to categorise Him as simply an exceptional human being.

5. SEAT: Sharing in the Throne of Divine Authority

The final component of the H.A.N.D.S. acronym, “Seat,” refers to Jesus sharing in the divine throne—a symbol of ultimate authority and sovereign rule. The New Testament frequently portrays Jesus as seated at the right hand of God, a positional metaphor steeped in both Jewish and Greco-Roman imagery.

In passages such as Mark 16:19 (NIV), we read, “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” This image of Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father embodies not only honour but also the exercise of supreme authority over all creation.

The position “at the right hand” was reserved for those who possessed unrivalled power and status, and in a monotheistic worldview, it was the very throne of God.

Psalm 110:1 (NIV) also affirms this imagery: “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” 

In applying this prophecy to Jesus, the New Testament writers are not suggesting that Jesus is a subordinate being who merely serves God, but rather that He is vested with divine authority and shares equally in the exercise of God’s power. This sharing of the divine throne underscores the truth that Jesus is not only one with the Father but also equally deserving of worship and praise.

Refuting Misinterpretations

Some opponents have argued that referencing a seat of honour might imply that Jesus is merely a powerful angel or a deified man rather than God Himself. However, the context of these passages, combined with the overall narrative of Scripture, makes it clear that the throne is a symbol of ultimate, uncreated authority. Jesus’ rightful place at this throne asserts His eternal sovereignty and highlights that His role is not derived from a temporary assignment but is intrinsic to His nature as God.

In summary, the imagery of Jesus sharing in the throne of divine authority is among the clearest and most unambiguous indicators of His deity. By being seated at the right hand of God, Jesus validates all the prior claims made by His ministry regarding His divine nature. Next blog coming on the divinity of Jesus. Addressing objections and false teaching