Divinity of Christ

One of the main teachings is that Christ was  God. So let us begin with this doctrine and see what the scriptures say. 

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." 

Matthew 1:18-21

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." 

Luke 1:26-35

It is clear from these passages that Jesus Christ did come into the world through a great miracle wherein He was literally the Son of God. However, this does not make Him unlike mortal man, or make Him half immortal. Part of Christ's mission was to save us from our sins. In order to do this He had to be fully mortal in order to show to man that it is possible for mortal man to overcome sin. 

"He that ascended up on high, as also He descended below all things, in that He comprehended all things, that He might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;" 

Doctrine & Covenants 88:6

"Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." 

Ephesians 4:9-10

In order for Christ to be able to set the example for us to follow He must have had to go through the same trials and temptations that all men face. Here are few example that show that as a mortal He was subject to the weaknesses of the flesh. 

"And when He was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." 

Matthew 8:23-25

"Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour." 

John 4:6

This shows clearly that He was subject to exhaustion and needed sleep just as we do. 

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."

Matthew 9:10-12

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."

Matthew 16:21

"Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

Jesus wept.  Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him!"

John 11:32-36

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." 

Hebrews 4:14-15

There used to be even more references to Christ's humanity, however they disagreed with the Nicean theology, so they were omitted from the scriptures. In the gnostic gospels you see a Christ that experienced all human feelings and emotions. The point is that Christ became master of His body and passions,  and He was trying to teach mankind to do likewise. 

So why did Nicean theology have to portray Christ as part God?  Because it gives men an excuse. If Christ was special, then it means that they can teach that men aren't expected to overcome sin. The idea that God and man are so different is a purely pagan idea. Remember, the Niceans were pagans who were trying to modify Christianity to bring it into compliance with their pagan beliefs about diety. 

"Not at all similar are the race of the immortal gods and the race of men who walk upon the earth." 

Homer, Illiad, Book 5