Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-11-08

CONDUCTED By
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
fOrlginal.]
THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST.

The DIVINITY OF ChhISIs
We need not repeat that the union of two
natures in one person is mystery. Our Oh.
iect is not to attempt the solving of mysteries,
but simply to learn what the Scriptures teach
es on the subject of Christ's divinity. When it
is said that Christ was divine, it is the same as
if it had been said he was God. Now was
Christ God ? What evidence did he give of
this fact2 We may remark that Christ con.
stantly claimed that he was God-equal with
the father in power and glory. He claimed
for himself every attribute that belongs to
God. The Scriptures assert that Jesus was
without beginning of days or end of years.
In other words, he existed from never be-
ginning eternity and shall continue to exist
forever. 1t is true that men and angels, and,
it may be, multitudes of other creatures, or,
80 far as we know, all creatures, in some form
or other, will never cease to be. Still the
eternal existence of every created being is a
dependent existence. They will exist forever
because such is the will of God, their maker.
Jesus Christ will live forever, because eternal
existence is one attribute of his nature. His
existence is liable to no contingencies, and
subject to nothing but his own will.
The Scriptures ascribe to Jesus Christ
creative power; that is, the power to bring
something out of nothing. Not simply the
ability and skill to fabricate or fashion some
thing out of materials always in existence,
but the power to make something out of
nothing. By him we are told (John i.) that
all things were made, and nothing is but
what was made by him. This is the same
fact which we learn from Genesis l. Jesus
Christ is said to have done what God is said
to have done
Jesus Christ demonstrated, by number of
we'll attested miracles, that he possessed per-
feet control over everything. He turned wa
ter into wine. This was his FIRST miracle, and
sufficient of itself to establish his divinity.
No being except God can change water into
wine. To do this, requires nothing less than
Almighty power. Jesus Christ healed the
sick and raised the dead by his touch. No
long process of administering medicine was
resorted to, but he spoke the word and the
sick we're made we'll and the dead were made
alive. Sinking carcasses we're terminated,
and the repulsive leper restored to perfect
health. The winds and the waves were sub.
ject to his command. He gave the order
and the fierce tempest was lulled into great
calm. In no way can the deeds which Jesus
Christ performed be accounted for but by
admitting that he was God.
The man, Jesus Christ, was put to death !;
but by his own power he rose from the dead.
Now no created power can resurrect dead
body. This is simply an impossibility. God
alone can create and God alone can make
alive. No historic fact is better attested than
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The whole
of his work was suspended upon the accom-
plishment of this one thing. "Destroy" says
he, "this temple and I will raise it up in
three days"
The fact that Jesus Christ is both the son
of man and the Son of God, makes him a
perfect Saviour. AS man he could suffer for
sinners and sympathize with sinners. AS
God, he could give value to his obedience
and death. In triumph the prophet shouts
out, "Hear, O, Israel, thy redeemer is thy
maker"