One of the most common objections raised by groups such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is that the divinity of Christ was a “later invention” and that the Apostles supposedly never understood Jesus as God.
However, when we carefully examine the biblical timeline—from the Gospels to Revelation—we see something very different:
👉 The Apostles did not “invent” Christ’s divinity later.
👉 Instead, their understanding deepened progressively under divine revelation, guided by the Holy Spirit.
This development is not contradiction—it is growth in theological clarity, just as Jesus Himself promised:
“The Holy Spirit… will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
I. The Gospels: The Seed of Christ’s Divinity
In the Gospels, we see implicit and explicit declarations of Christ’s divine identity.
1. Jesus’ Divine Authority (Synoptic Gospels)
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Forgives sins → something only God can do
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)
Yet Jesus forgives sins (Mark 2:5–10)
-
Lord of the Sabbath
“The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)
-
Receives worship
“And those in the boat worshiped Him…” (Matthew 14:33)
2. Explicit Divine Identity (John’s Gospel)
John’s Gospel makes the divinity unmistakable:
-
John 1:1
“The Word was God.”
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John 20:28
“My Lord and my God!”
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John 8:58
“Before Abraham was, I AM.”
👉 The phrase “I AM” directly echoes Exodus 3:14, the divine name of Yahweh.
II. The Apostolic Preaching in Acts: Public Declaration of Christ as Lord
After Pentecost, the Apostles preach Christ more openly and theologically:
1. Peter’s preaching
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“God has made Him both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
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“There is salvation in no one else.” (Acts 4:12)
2. Divine titles applied to Jesus
- “Lord” (Kyrios) → Greek term used in the Septuagint for Yahweh
- “Son of God” → not merely human kingship but divine identity in context
3. Worship and divine invocation
-
Early Christians called on Jesus in prayer:
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21; cf. Joel 2:32)
Paul applies this to Jesus → identifying Him with Yahweh.
III. Pauline Letters: Theological Maturity of Christ’s Divinity
Paul’s writings (earliest New Testament texts) present a fully developed Christology.
1. Christ is God
-
“Christ… who is God over all, blessed forever.” (Romans 9:5)
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“In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
2. Pre-existence of Christ
-
“Though He was in the form of God…” (Philippians 2:6)
3. Cosmic role of Christ
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“All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)
👉 Creation belongs only to God → yet Christ is Creator.
IV. The Later Apostolic Writings: Hebrews, Peter, John, Revelation
1. Hebrews: Christ above angels
-
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” (Hebrews 1:8)
- Angels worship Him (Hebrews 1:6)
2. 2 Peter
-
“Our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:1)
3. Revelation: The climax of divine revelation
Revelation presents Jesus as:
- “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 22:13)
- “The First and the Last”
- Worshiped alongside the Father (Revelation 5:13–14)
👉 In Jewish monotheism, worship belongs only to God.
V. Did the Apostles “Develop” Their Belief? Yes—but Not from Error to Truth
The INC objection often assumes:
“If doctrine developed, it must be false.”
But biblical development means:
✔ Not contradiction
✔ Not invention
✔ But unfolding revelation
Jesus Himself said:
“I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)
This shows:
- gradual understanding
- guided by the Holy Spirit
- full truth revealed after Pentecost
VI. Early Church Fathers Confirm Apostolic Belief in Christ’s Divinity
The earliest Christians immediately understood the Apostolic teaching as divine Christology:
1. St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD)
“Our God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by Mary…”¹
2. St. Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD)
“We worship Christ, who is the Son of the true God.”²
3. St. Irenaeus (c. 180 AD)
“Christ Jesus is our Lord, and God, and Savior.”³
👉 These Fathers were direct successors of the Apostles’ teaching—no sign of a “late invention.”
VII. Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church summarizes this apostolic faith clearly:
“Jesus Christ is true God and true man.” (CCC 464)⁴
“The Word became flesh to save us by reconciling us with God.” (CCC 457)⁵
VIII. Answering INC Objections
❌ Objection 1: “Jesus never said, ‘I am God’”
✔ Response:
Jesus used divine claims:
- “I AM” (John 8:58)
- forgave sins
- accepted worship
- claimed unity with the Father (John 10:30)
❌ Objection 2: “Apostles never believed Jesus was God”
✔ Response:
- Thomas calls Him “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)
- Paul calls Him “God over all” (Romans 9:5)
- Hebrews calls Him “God” (Hebrews 1:8)
❌ Objection 3: “Divinity of Christ was invented later”
✔ Response:
- Already present in earliest Pauline letters (50s AD)
- Fully expressed in John (90s AD)
- Confirmed by 1st-century Fathers like Ignatius
IX. Conclusion: One Faith, One Continuous Revelation
From the Gospels to Revelation, the pattern is clear:
✔ Jesus is revealed progressively
✔ Apostles deepen understanding under the Spirit
✔ Early Church immediately confesses His divinity
✔ No historical gap shows “invention”
👉 The divinity of Christ is not a later doctrine—it is the core apostolic faith revealed from the beginning and fully understood over time.
Footnotes (Chicago Style)
- Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians, 18.2.
- Justin Martyr, First Apology, 13.
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies, III.19.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 464.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 457.
