Is Jesus Christ God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible reveals the deity of Jesus Christ. Some of the most profound examples are in the book of John. The disciple John starts off his book with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” which he makes clear is Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14-15). Then, in John 10:30-38, Jesus states that He is “one” with the Father, infuriating the Pharisees to the extent of them picking up stones to kill Him. Jesus’ claims of deity were an issue for many of the Jews because He described Himself in terms of God and claimed equality with God, which was the worst blasphemy one could commit if such statements were proven untrue (Exodus 3:14; Leviticus 24:15-16). Following Christ’s resurrection from the dead, the disciple Thomas exclaimed: "my Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Many other Scriptures also point to the deity of Christ. Acts 20:28indicates that God bought the church with His own blood, meaning Jesus’ blood. Titus 2:13 says that we are to wait for “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Lastly, in Hebrews 1:8, the Father refers to Jesus as "O God" indicating that Jesus is indeed God, and that they are equal.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When Moses asked God what to tell the Hebrews when they asked who sent him to free them, God replied, “‘I am who I am.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14). During Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees responded with death threats to Jesus because He said "I am" —- referring to the name and nature of Yahweh to describe Himself. .
• The Mosaic Law commanded stoning any person who blasphemed God’s name (Leviticus 24:15).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The apostle John indicated Jesus' deity when in his Gospel he says, "the Word was God" and "the Word became flesh" (John 1:1, 14); the Word is another name for Jesus. Jesus did not claim to be "the Father" but that He was equal to the Father in essence and nature. In His wisdom, this must have been the best way to show us finite creatures that God could be sovereign and on His throne in heaven while still reaching out, in human form, to save mankind.
• The disciple Thomas also expresses the deity of Jesus, saying, "my Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
• Jesus tells the Pharisees, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). The Pharisees were so enraged by this that they were ready to stone Him, saying "… you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33 NIV). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming: deity.
• Acts 20:28 (NIV) tells us, "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." We know who bought the church—the church of God—with His own blood. It was Jesus Christ. Since Acts 20:28 declares that God purchased His church with His own blood, Jesus is God.
• The book of Titus exhorts believers to wait patiently for the coming of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
• Another beautiful example of Jesus’ deity occurs in Hebrews 1:8, "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'"

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jesus' identity as God is the cornerstone of the gospel message. As a member of the Holy Trinity, His person is distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit, yet He is equal in importance and power. Had Jesus simply been a man—-just a good teacher or a prophet—-His death on the cross would not have been sufficient to cover our sins, and those who hope in Him would be gravely deceived (1 Corinthians 15:19). However, Jesus was indeed the “propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). For this to be possible, He had to also be fully God. Jesus claimed His deity boldly, although He did not specifically say, “I am God.” The response of the Jews to Jesus’ claims of deity were also telling: they sought to harm Him. Jesus, fully God and fully human, died on a cross and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Because of this, all who believe in Him will be saved. Scripture contains ample evidence, both from Jesus Himself and from other Bible passages, that He is, in fact, God.

UNDERSTAND

• Scripture contains ample proof of Jesus’ deity.
• Jesus Himself claimed to be God.
• If Jesus weren’t God, His death would not have been sufficient propitiation for humankind’s sin.

REFLECT

• How does it impact your faith to know that God came in human form to die for you?
• What Bible passages help you to best understand Jesus’ divinity?
• When you reflect on Jesus’ earthly ministry, what evidence of His divinity do you find most compelling?

ENGAGE

• How can believers best communicate the importance of Jesus being fully God and fully man to unbelievers?
• How can evidence of Jesus’ divinity help unbelievers to realize that Jesus was more than merely a wise man?
• What Bible passages are most compelling to share with those who reject Jesus’ divinity?