“I Am the Alpha and the Omega”: Refuting the INC Claim that Christ Is Not God

Did Jesus say, “I am the Alpha and the Omega”? Discover the Catholic defense against the INC claim that Christ is not God, with Biblical and CCC evidence.

Introduction

One of the clearest Biblical revelations about the divinity of Christ is the title “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” This phrase appears in the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) and is understood by the Catholic Church as a declaration of God’s eternal nature—applied both to the Father and to the Son.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) denies the divinity of Jesus, claiming He is a created being, not God Himself. But the Scriptures and the Church’s consistent teaching refute this claim. This article explains why the Catholic Church holds firmly that Jesus Christ is truly God, using the title “Alpha and Omega” as strong evidence.

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Biblical Texts: “I Am the Alpha and the Omega”

1. Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

2. Revelation 21:6

“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

3. Revelation 22:13

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Notice in Revelation 22:12–16, the speaker who says “I am the Alpha and the Omega” also identifies Himself as Jesus:

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Rev. 22:16)

👉 This shows clearly: Jesus Himself uses the title “Alpha and Omega.”

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Theological Meaning of “Alpha and Omega”

• Alpha (first Greek letter) = beginning

• Omega (last Greek letter) = end

This signifies eternity, sovereignty, and divine omnipotence. Only God can truly claim to be the First and the Last, the source and destiny of all creation.

By applying this to Himself, Christ claims divine identity.

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Catholic Church Teaching

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) confirms the full divinity of Christ:

• CCC 234: “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life.” Jesus is consubstantial with the Father.

• CCC 449: “By attributing to Jesus the divine title ‘Lord,’ the first confessions of the Church's faith affirm from the beginning that the power, honor, and glory due to God the Father are due also to Jesus.”

• CCC 454: “The title ‘Son of God’ signifies the unique and eternal relationship of Jesus Christ to God his Father: he is the only Son of the Father; he is God himself.”

• CCC 663–664: Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father, sharing in divine sovereignty.

Thus, when Revelation records Jesus saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” it is a testimony of His eternal divinity, not just a metaphor.

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Refuting INC’s Position

The INC claims:

• “The Alpha and the Omega” refers only to the Father, not to Christ.

• Jesus is not God but merely God’s instrument.

Catholic Response:

1. The Bible itself shows that Jesus speaks the words “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 22:13, 16).

2. The divine attributes—eternity, omnipotence, source of life—are explicitly applied to Christ.

3. Early Christians worshiped Jesus as Lord and God (John 20:28).

4. The Church Fathers, like St. Ignatius of Antioch (1st century), wrote: “There is one God who manifested himself through Jesus Christ, his Son, who is his eternal Word.”

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Early Church Witness

• St. Justin Martyr (2nd century): Affirmed Christ as the eternal Logos, God from God.

• St. Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century): Called Christ “the eternal King and the Word of God, who existed from the beginning with the Father.”

• Nicene Creed (325 A.D.): Declares Christ as “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.”

This is consistent with the Alpha and Omega proclamation.

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Conclusion

The words “I am the Alpha and the Omega” directly affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the INC teaching, Scripture shows that Jesus Himself applies this divine title to Himself (Rev. 22:13–16). The Catholic Church, guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, has always proclaimed Jesus as true God and true man.

To deny His divinity is to reject the very heart of the Gospel. As St. Paul declares:

“In Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

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✅ Final Takeaway for Readers:
When Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” He is not merely a messenger of God but God Himself—the eternal Word, the Beginning and the End.

 

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