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Responding to Objections

Biblical Answers to Common Questions About Christ's Deity

If you've been taught that Jesus is not God, you likely have questions and objections. That's understandable. Below are detailed responses to the most common objections, grounded in Scripture and sound reasoning.

Objection 1: “Jesus is ‘a god,’ not THE God”

This objection comes from the NWT rendering of John 1:1: “the Word was a god.” The argument is that Jesus is divine in some lesser sense—a mighty spirit creature, but not Yahweh Himself.

The Problem: This Creates Polytheism

The Old Testament is absolutely clear that there is only ONE God:

“Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.”

— Isaiah 43:10 (LSB)

“I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.”

— Isaiah 44:6 (LSB)

“Is there any God besides Me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.”

— Isaiah 44:8 (LSB)

The Logical Dilemma:

If Jesus is “a god” but not Yahweh, then either:

  • Option A: The Bible contradicts itself (there ARE gods besides Yahweh)
  • Option B: Jesus is a false god

Neither option is acceptable. The only consistent conclusion is that Jesus IS Yahweh— the one true God in human flesh.

Objection 2: “Jesus received His position from the Father”

Some argue that Jesus was “made” Lord or “given” authority, suggesting He wasn't always God but was elevated to that position.

The Answer: The Incarnation, Not Creation

Philippians 2:6-8 is key to understanding this:

“...who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave...”

— Philippians 2:6-7 (LSB)

Notice the order:

  1. Jesus existed in the form of God — before the incarnation
  2. He possessed equality with God — not something He needed to attain
  3. He emptied Himself — took on human nature
  4. He was later highly exalted (v. 9) — in His humanity

Key insight: The Father didn't MAKE Jesus God—Jesus eternally IS God who took on human nature. The “exaltation” passages refer to Jesus' glorification in His humanity after the resurrection, not to Him becoming divine.

Objection 3: “The Bible says Jesus is the Son of God, not God”

This objection assumes “Son of God” means “less than God” or “created by God.” But that's not how the phrase was understood in the ancient world.

The Answer: “Son of” Means “Same Nature As”

In ancient Semitic usage, “son of” indicated nature or character, not origin or inferiority:

  • • “Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) = men with thunderous temperaments
  • • “Sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2) = people characterized by disobedience
  • • “Son of God” = one who shares God's nature

“For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”

— John 5:18 (LSB)

The Jews understood exactly what Jesus meant. When He called God His Father in a unique sense, they recognized He was claiming equality with God. That's why they tried to stone Him for blasphemy. “Son of God” IS a claim to deity.

Objection 4: “We can pray THROUGH Jesus without praying TO Him”

Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to pray only to Jehovah, through Jesus as mediator. They argue that prayer TO Jesus is not found in Scripture.

The Answer: Scripture Shows Both

Yes, we pray through Jesus (John 14:13-14). But Scripture also shows direct prayer TO Jesus:

Stephen prayed to Jesus (Acts 7:59-60):

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

Paul prayed to Jesus (2 Corinthians 12:8-9):

“Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times... And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’”

John prayed to Jesus (Revelation 22:20):

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

All Christians call on Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2):

“...with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Romans 10:13 clinches it:

Paul quotes Joel 2:32 (“whoever calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved”) and applies it to Jesus. “Calling on the name” is prayer language. To call on Jesus' name IS to call on Yahweh's name.

Even the Watchtower admitted:

“Obviously, then, Stephen's words, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,’ were a prayer.”— The Watchtower, February 1, 1959, p. 96

The Bottom Line

Each of these objections, when examined carefully, actually reinforces the biblical teaching that Jesus is God:

  • “A god” creates polytheism — there is no god besides Yahweh
  • Jesus was exalted in His humanity — He eternally existed as God
  • “Son of God” means equality with God — the Jews understood this
  • Prayer to Jesus is commanded — calling on His name is calling on Yahweh