Do Orthodox Believe Jesus is God?
The belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Orthodox Christianity. Central to the faith of Orthodox Christians is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine. This belief is deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament and the early Church fathers.
Orthodox Christians hold that Jesus, as the Son of God, was begotten by the Father from eternity, without a mother. This belief is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which is recited by Orthodox Christians during liturgical services. The Creed states, “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”
This belief in the divinity of Jesus is grounded in the scriptural evidence found in the New Testament. The Gospels record Jesus performing miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding the multitude, which are indicative of His divine nature. Furthermore, the Gospels contain statements made by Jesus that suggest His divine authority, such as when He forgives sins (Mark 2:5-7) and claims to be the Son of Man (Mark 14:62).
The early Church fathers, including figures such as St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Alexandria, and St. John Chrysostom, played a significant role in articulating and defending the doctrine of the Trinity, which includes the belief that Jesus is God. These fathers emphasized that Jesus, while fully human, is also fully divine, sharing the same essence as the Father.
In the Orthodox tradition, the divinity of Jesus is not just an intellectual belief but a profound mystery that is experienced through faith and the sacraments. The Orthodox Church teaches that through the sacraments, such as baptism and the Eucharist, believers are united with the divine nature of Christ and participate in the life of the Trinity.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Do Orthodox believe Jesus is God?” is a resounding yes. The belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ is central to Orthodox Christianity, grounded in scriptural evidence, the teachings of the early Church fathers, and the experience of the sacraments. This belief is not just an intellectual assertion but a transformative encounter with the divine, uniting believers with the eternal life of the Trinity.
