The primitive church regarded Jesus as the awaited Messiah (Christ). This fact alone already counts in favor of the fact that Jesus used terms indicating his Divinity. How did the worship of Jesus as Lord and God appeared in the early church? Unless they believed the claims of Jesus.
According to the criteria of evaluation of the authenticity of historical accounts, the conviction of Jesus that he was indeed the Messiah himself is attested in independent sources, such as Mark 8 (Peter's confession), Luke and John.
The criterion of embarrassment also favors the authenticity of the claims of Jesus as the Messiah, as shown by the apparent hesitation of John's faith when he asked about Jesus (Matthew 11:3, Luke 7:19) - Christians probably would not include shameful aspects of faith in their texts.
The deeds of Jesus also affirm his self-understanding. For example, His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where he claims to be the promised King of Israel according to Zechariah 9:9-10.
Likewise, the messianic claims of Jesus led to his trial (Mark 14:61). Nobody, proclaiming lies, would undergo trial (and death) as Jesus did - and his conviction was for blasphemy.
The importance of this theme is that Jesus considered himself (thought of himself) as the fulfillment of various prophecies. As the One who would come after John the Baptist. As "The Lord God Himself" (Isaiah 40:5, 9-11).
According to the criteria of evaluation of the authenticity of historical accounts, the conviction of Jesus that he was indeed the Messiah himself is attested in independent sources, such as Mark 8 (Peter's confession), Luke and John.
The criterion of embarrassment also favors the authenticity of the claims of Jesus as the Messiah, as shown by the apparent hesitation of John's faith when he asked about Jesus (Matthew 11:3, Luke 7:19) - Christians probably would not include shameful aspects of faith in their texts.
The deeds of Jesus also affirm his self-understanding. For example, His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where he claims to be the promised King of Israel according to Zechariah 9:9-10.
Likewise, the messianic claims of Jesus led to his trial (Mark 14:61). Nobody, proclaiming lies, would undergo trial (and death) as Jesus did - and his conviction was for blasphemy.
The importance of this theme is that Jesus considered himself (thought of himself) as the fulfillment of various prophecies. As the One who would come after John the Baptist. As "The Lord God Himself" (Isaiah 40:5, 9-11).