He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:15-16
The Son of God, The Son of Man, Immanuel. The previous chapter presented and described Jesus, the man – and that He was crucified in atoning payment (sacrifice) for your sins and that He rose again after three days. While many skeptics, agnostics, and atheists continue to deny that Jesus (the man) ever existed (despite overwhelming evidence that He did), others realize they cannot escape the force of that evidence, and so in a continued effort to discredit the gospel message, they resort to mockingly conceding: “Well, he never claimed to be God, he was just a good moral teacher”! Further compounding the matter, even some so-called (fake) “Christian” churches today (e.g., the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.) make false claims such as: “Jesus was simply an angel, a created being,” or even that “He is the brother of Satan.” This is all blasphemy, and those are not true Christian churches; they are cults that deny Christ (see the Beware the Wolves chapter)!
Scripture clearly shows that Jesus of Nazareth was not just an ordinary man – for how many men (or women) were born to a virgin mother through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit? Furthermore, the many miracles he performed along with His command over nature, witnessed by hundreds of people (thousands in some cases) and recorded in Scripture, served to confirm His claims and testify and prove that He was indeed God in the flesh. And lastly: did Jesus Himself actually claim to be God? This chapter shows you that yes, Jesus did, in fact, claim to be God, and He did so without any ambiguity whatsoever.
MIRACLES JESUS PERFORMED CONFIRMED HE WAS GOD
Jesus performed many miracles, which were witnessed by many (hundreds, thousands) of people. A partial list is given below:
- Cured the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-47),
- Cast out demons/unclean spirits (Mark 1:23-28, Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew 12:22, Matthew 15:22-28, Matthew 17:14-21),
- Cured Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30-31),
- Healed lepers (Mark 1:40-45, Luke 17:11-19),
- Healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13),
- Raised people from the dead (Luke 7:11-18, Matthew 9:18-26, John 11:1-46),
- Cured a person with paralysis (Matthew 9:1-8),
- Healed a bleeding woman (Luke 8:43-48),
- Opened the eyes of the blind (Matthew 9:27-31, Mark 8:22-26, John 9:1-38, Matthew 20:30-34),
- Caused the mute to speak (Matthew 9:32-33),
- Healed the lame man at the pool Bethesda (John 5:1-9),
- Restored a withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13),
- Cured a deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37),
- Healed a crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17),
- Restored a cut-off ear (Luke 22:50-51),
- Rose from the dead Himself (Luke 24:5-6)
John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, writes:
And there are also many other things [miracles] which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. – John 21:25
Additionally, the miracles (e.g., healing the sick and blind, raising people from the dead, etc.) served to demonstrate that He is able to forgive sin and reverse the curse that was placed on this world and all mankind (as a result of man’s disobedience of God, see the earlier chapter on Humanity and Sin) and restore creation to a perfect state again – and this is part of the hope that a Christian has in Christ, for without forgiveness of sin, there can be no eternal life (only eternal death):
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” – Matthew 9:6
JESUS’ COMMAND OVER NATURE CONFIRMED HE WAS GOD
Jesus repeatedly demonstrated His command over nature, something which only God can do. A partial list is given below:
- Changed water into wine (John 2:1-11),
- The disciple’s great catches of fish (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:1-14),
- Calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:36-41, Luke 8:22-25),
- Walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33),
- Fed at least 5,000 people (Matthew 14:15-21),
- Fed at least 4,000 people (Matthew 15:32-39),
- Caused a fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-24)
GOD (THE FATHER) DECLARED JESUS TO BE GOD
God (the Father) also unequivocally declares Jesus to be God:
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him [Jesus], and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17
Next, I want to call your attention to what is written in Hebrews 1:8, quoting from Psalm 45:6. Here you have in Scripture God (the Father) explicitly calling His Son Jesus God; this was written long before Jesus was even born:
But of the Son He [God] says,
“Your [Jesus] throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.” – Hebrews 1:8
Another remarkable occurrence was Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain (accompanied by Moses and Elijah) in front of Peter, James, and John:
Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. – Matthew 17:1-8
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE GOD
Jesus did, in fact, claim to be God. A couple of the verses where He did so are given here:
Again the high priest was questioning Him [Jesus], and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. – Mark 14:61-64
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him [to kill Him], but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. – John 8:58-59
For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him [Jesus], because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. – John 5:18
[Jesus Said:] “I and the Father are one.”
The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”– John 10:30-33
“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” – Revelation 1:17b-18
It’s worth noting that from some of the verses above, you can see that the Jews of Jesus’ day had no doubt whatsoever that He was claiming to be God (“I AM”) – for that is why they repeatedly tried to kill Him. Each time He made the claim, they rushed at Him again to try to stone Him to death!
DEMONS (EVIL SPIRITS) CLAIMED JESUS WAS GOD
Astonishingly, even further, the demons knew exactly who Jesus was and proclaimed so. They clearly identified Him as “Jesus, Son of the Most High God” without ambiguity or doubt. They even further understood they were under His authority, command, and judgments:
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” – Luke 8:26-28
When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region. – Matthew 8:28-34
JESUS’ ATTRIBUTES DECLARE HIM TO BE GOD
There is another aspect that shows that Jesus is God. Several attributes are ascribed to Him which can only belong to deity: eternal being (having no beginning and no ending), holiness, and receiving of worship. Scripture assigns all of these attributes to Jesus.
Speaking of His eternal nature, Scripture is clear that Jesus has no beginning and no end – He is eternal. The Bible tells us that “He [Jesus] was foreknown before the foundation of the world.” It declares that “He [Jesus] was in the beginning,” and that “He [Jesus] was with God” and that “He [Jesus] was God.” Scripture states that “all things came into being through Him [Jesus].” He has co-existed eternally with God the Father since eternity past and will continue to exist for eternity future.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is not just “a created being,” “a fallen angel,” or “the brother of Satan,” as some falsely teach. Any group (cult) teaching such things is denying the Jesus of the Bible! [1]
Jesus’ voice can even be heard in the Old Testament. Even though the words aren’t in red, you are actually hearing (by reading) Jesus’ voice in many Old Testament passages. It was Jesus Who spoke all things into existence. Amazing! In God’s infinite wisdom, Christ was veiled to mankind until just the right time in history when He was made “manifest in the flesh” as the man “Jesus of Nazareth,” having “appeared in these last times for the sake of you” (i.e., when God decided it was time to reveal Him to the world as Savior and Redeemer). After His death and resurrection, He ascended again to heaven, and He will return to gather those who are His on the Last Day, which is the Day of Judgment
SCRIPTURE DECLARES JESUS TO BE GOD
And finally, Scripture declares Jesus is God:
He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:15-16
In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. – John 1:1-3
For in Him [Jesus] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form… – Colossians 2:9
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” – John 14:7
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again,
“I will be a Father to Him
And He shall be a Son to Me”?
And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
And of the angels He says,
“Who makes His angels winds,
And His ministers a flame of fire.”
But of the Son He says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.”
– Hebrews 1:1-8
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. – 1 John 5:20
The Lord says to my Lord [Jesus]:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;
In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.
The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.
He will judge among the nations,
He will fill them with corpses,
He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.
He will drink from the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He will lift up His head. – Psalm 110
So, in summary:
- Jesus unequivocally declared Himself to be, and is, God,
- God declared Jesus to be God,
- Scripture declares Jesus to be God,
- Jesus’ miracles demonstrated He was God,
- Jesus’ command over nature demonstrated He was God,
- Jesus accepted and allowed worship without correcting those who did so; worship is reserved for God alone,
- Jesus is of the same essence as God the Father and co-eternal with God the Father, having no beginning or end – He is not a created being,
- And furthermore, He [Jesus] is ruling and reigning this very day in His Kingdom!
It is worth noting that the name He most often used when referring to Himself was “Son of Man” – reinforcing His love, affection, and bond with humanity and the value He places on His own humanity (despite also being God). Jesus will be identified with His (and our) humanity for all eternity.
In the next chapter, we discuss a matter of monumental and eternal importance: Was Jesus really raised from the dead? For without His resurrection, we have no “good news” and no hope.
FALSE TEACHING(S) YOU WILL ENCOUNTER:
- Jesus was just a “good moral” man (but not God) – even if the skeptics and atheists concede that Jesus did live as recorded in the Bible, they will still try to deny His deity
- Jesus is just “an angel” or “the brother of Satan” – i.e., He is a created being and not God. This false teaching is brought to you by some groups/churches which CLAIM to be “Christian” and even use the name of Jesus in their church name! Yes, the mind of man seems to have no limits when conjuring up bizarre interpretations and outright distortions of Scripture, and then others seem to be willing to believe and go along with them. Be not deceived!
- Cults that deny the deity of Christ, that He is God
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me [Jesus]. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:1-3
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” – John 14:8-11
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” – John 5:39-47
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 16:16-17
…concerning His Son [Jesus], who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 1:3-4
Now when John [the Baptist], while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciple, and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” – Matthew 11:2-6
The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child [Jesus] shall be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. – Acts 3:13-15
Thomas answered and said to Him [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” – John 20:28-29
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [Jesus] who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. – John 1:18
For He [Jesus] was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. – 1 Peter 1:20-21
[1] Jackson, Wayne. “Jehovah‘s Witnesses and the Doctrine of the Deity of Jesus Christ.” ChristianCourier.com. Access date: July 28, 2019. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/jehovahs-witnesses-and-the-doctrine-of-the-deity-of-jesus-christ
