Prohibition of Depicting God in the New Testament and Christ's Denial of His Divinity

In the New Testament, there are several instances where the prohibition of depicting God and Christ's denial of His divinity can be found. These passages shed light on the theological beliefs and practices of early Christians. Here are some examples:

1. Exodus 20:4-5: This Old Testament passage is referenced in the New Testament to emphasize the prohibition of creating images of God. It states, "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." This commandment serves as the foundation for the prohibition of depicting God in Christian art.
2. John 1:18: In this verse, John the Apostle writes, "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." This passage highlights the belief that God is invisible and cannot be fully comprehended or depicted by human beings.
3. John 14:9: Jesus himself denies His divinity in this verse, saying, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." By equating Himself with the Father, Jesus emphasizes His role as the visible representation of God on Earth. This implies that God cannot be directly seen or depicted, but can only be known through Jesus.
4. Colossians 1:15: Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, writes, "The Son is the image of the invisible God." This verse reinforces the idea that God is invisible and cannot be depicted, but Jesus serves as the visible representation of God's nature and character.
5. 1 Timothy 6:16: Paul further emphasizes the invisibility of God in this verse, stating, "God, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." This passage underscores the belief that God cannot be seen or depicted by human beings due to His divine nature.

These passages collectively provide evidence for the prohibition of depicting God in the New Testament and Christ's denial of His divinity. They highlight the belief that God is invisible and cannot be fully comprehended or represented by human beings.