Is Jesus God? Many people will make the statement that Jesus never said that He was God. While it is true that the Scriptures never record Him saying the exact words, “I am God”, words have less meaning than action. Many people have claimed to be God or the son of God, be it ancient Egyptian Pharaohs or recent Japanese Emperors, but are in their graves. Consider the following points and read the associated references for yourself to determine if Jesus is God. Based on His claims, actions and interactions you decide the classic question of whether He is Lord, a liar or a lunatic.
Jesus claimed:
- His glory and existence before the foundation of the world and before Abraham (John 17:5, 24; 8:58)
- That He came from heaven (John 3:13)
- Came from the Father and returned to the Father (John 16:27-28)
- God as Father (John 5:17, 8:49)
- To be one with the Father (John 10:31, 14:10-11)
- That if you’ve seen him, you’ve seen the father (John 14:9)
- Title of Son of Man (John 5:27)
- The title of Messiah and Son of God (Matthew 26:63-66)
- The name of God (“I am”, John 8:48-58)
- Authority over law/word and death (John 8:51)
- That He has all power (Matthew 28:18)
- The power to judge (John 5:22,27)
- That He was greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6)
- That He was Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8)
Jesus acted by:
- Reading thoughts (Matthew 9:1-4)
- Forgiving sins (Matthew 9:1-4), which only God can do (Mark 2:5-12)
- Demonstrating power over:
- Death (John 5:21)
- Sickness (John 5:1-9)
- Nature (Matthew 14:25-33)
- Objects – water/wine, bread/fish
- Tradition – Sabbath, ‘laws’
When Jesus interacted with others He:
- Accepts worship (John 9:38, Matthew 28:17)
- Receives honor (John 5:23)
- Accepts being called God by Thomas (John 20:28-29)
- Doesn’t deny knowing all things (John 16:30)
- Taught to baptize in His name (Matthew 28:19)
- Showed His true nature at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-18; Luke 9:28-36)
His adversaries reacted by:
- Threatened with stoning for blasphemy (John 8:59, 10:31)
- Crucified for claiming to be Son of God (John 19:6-7)
With respect to eternal things He:
- Rose from the dead (John 20:1-10)
- Gives eternal life (John 5:26, John 10:28)
- Receives spirit of the dying (Acts 7:59)
- Sends the Spirit (John 15:26)
Disciples called Him:
- Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
- John makes reference to Isaiah seeing Jesus in when he references seeing God in Isaiah 9 (John 12:41)
- The Christ, who is God overall, blessed forever (Romans 9:5)
- God, whose throne will last forever (Hebrews 1:8)
- The Son who is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20)
- Man from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:44-49)
- Creator of all things: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities (Colossians 1:16)
- Alpha, Omega, First, Last, Beginning and End (Revelation 22:13)
In summary, Jesus has the attributes, offices, names and exercises the prerogatives of God because He is God. The Apostle John described the Word existing in the beginning as God and then becoming flesh to dwell among us (John 1:1-18). See this link for more verses about Jesus’ divinity.
