The Divinity of Christ as the Judge

This lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the divinity of Christ through His role as the Judge, Redeemer, Knower of hearts, and Worker of miracles. It shows, through texts from the Old and New Testaments, that divine attributes belonging to God alone were also applied to Christ, confirming His divinity from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective.

1️⃣ Christ is the Judge, and the Judge is God

• His Holiness Pope Shenouda III shows that Scripture declares that the Judge is God alone, as seen in Abraham’s words: “The Judge of all the earth,” and in the Psalms: “God is the Judge.”
• Then he proves that Christ Himself is the Judge according to many Gospel passages: “The Son of Man will reward each according to his works,” and “He will sit on the throne of His glory and separate the sheep from the goats.”
• And since the Judge is God, and Christ is the Judge, therefore Christ is God.

2️⃣ Christ is the One who searches hearts and minds

• Searching hearts is a divine attribute belonging to God alone, as Solomon said: “You alone know the hearts of all men.”
• Yet Christ declared: “I am He who searches minds and hearts,” proving His participation in this divine work.
• Scripture records many events where Christ knew people’s thoughts and the secrets of their hearts.

3️⃣ Christ is the Redeemer and the Savior

• The Old Testament repeatedly states that God alone is the Savior: “There is no Savior besides Me,” “I the Lord am your Savior and Redeemer.”
• Salvation requires an unlimited atonement, which only an unlimited Being—God—can offer.
• The New Testament attributes salvation to Christ alone: “There is salvation in no one else,” and “Jesus… will save His people from their sins.”
• Since sin is against the unlimited God, the Redeemer must be unlimited, meaning divine. Thus, Christ is God.

4️⃣ Christ works miracles with divine authority

• His miracles are countless and include healing, raising the dead, dominion over nature, creation, walking on water, etc.
• He performs miracles by command, such as “Rise, take your bed and walk,” or by a touch, or by sheer will.
• Some miracles included prayer only to show that the power was from God, countering accusations that He acted by demonic power.

5️⃣ The connection between redemption and divinity

• If Christ were not God, how could He redeem humanity? And would His love surpass God’s love?
• Divine redemption can only be performed by God Himself; therefore, God appeared in the flesh to offer complete salvation.

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