Biblical Evidence that Jesus is God

The purpose of writing this to examine the claims of scripture in defense of Christ's diety. There are some who dispute that Jesus claimed to be only the Son of God, which in their understaning means Christ is not God. This, however, shows a misunderstanding of the title "Son of God" that the Jews of Christ's day did not have. As such, the following text attempts to show clearly through Scripture the diety of Jesus Christ.

Before we can discuss the deity of Christ, we must first establish an important truth. In the bible, Jesus is called both the “Son of Man” and the “Son of God.” Christ is titled “Son of,” not because Christ was created by either man or God, rather because Christ originated from both. He is the embodiment of both God and man in one. Jesus Christ came down from Heaven and was born as a human being.

In the Old Testament, it is established that God is not a man (Num 23:19). However, in Christ, God became a man and lived among us (Phil 2:6-7; John 1:14). As such, the title “Son of God” implies that Jesus is in fact God. This truth becomes illuminated further by the adjective “one and only.” Since there is one God, there can be only one Son of God. As such, Jesus Christ is called the “one and only Son of God.” (John 3:16,18)

1) Jesus performed many miracles. Who but God could command such power as Jesus did? The wind and the waves obeyed His command. (Matthew 8:27) He even raised Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:38-44) The apostle John said in John 21:25 at the end of the book, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

2) Jesus forgave sins. Who but God could forgive sins? In Mark 2:5-12, Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic man. The teachers of law heard this and quickly accused Jesus of blasphemy as they said, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In order to prove that He could forgive sins, Jesus not only told the man his sins were forgiven, he healed him. The man was not only forgiven, but also cleansed of his sin.

3) Jesus cast out demons. Who but God can rebuke demons? In Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39, Jesus throws demons out of a man into a herd of pigs. What is significant about this event is that the Demons were commanded to leave the man. The demons then begged Jesus not to torture them before the appointed time. They had to ask permission to enter the pigs.

Jesus rebuked many demons. He even gave authority to His disciples to also cast out demons in His name. Luke 10:17 says, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” The disciples went out as representatives working under the name and authority of Jesus. It was by His name and authority that demons were cast out.

In Luke 11:14-26, Jesus was accused of being the prince of the Demons since He had the authority to command them. His response in verse 18: “If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” When Jesus rebuked demons, the people were often cured of illnesses. The healing contradicted the entire motive of Satan who seeks to bring humanity to ruin, not infuse them with new life.

4) Jesus gave His sinless life unto Death for undeserving sinners. Who but God could show such love and submission? Christ was without sin (Acts 3:14; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5; 2 Cor 5:21) and did not have to die. He went to the cross willingly to lay down His life for His friends. (John 15:13) In John 10:18, Jesus says concerning His life, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” This was apparent when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:46; Luke 22:54; John 18:12). He did not fight. When His disciple Peter raised his sword to fight, Jesus told him to put it down. Jesus went willingly with the guards and never once fought to save His own life. He went willingly to the cross so as to make amends for the sins of humanity.

John the Baptist said of Jesus in John 1:29, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Hebrews 9:28 says, “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people.” Christ died for sinners so that they could be saved from their sin. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Who but God could show such mercy and love, to give His own life for someone who sins against Him? Would you ever try to save a person who is constantly hurting you? Would you ever show compassion to someone who ruined your name, stole your house, and killed your children? And yet, this is what Christ did for us. He loved us even though we sinned against Him. Luke 23:34, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

5) Jesus raised Himself from the dead. Who but God can raise Himself from the dead? John 3:19-21 says, “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” If you notice, Jesus said, “I will raise…” concerning His own body.

This is affirmed again in John 10:17-18 where Jesus says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” If you notice here, Jesus says He has the authority to lay down His life and take it up again.

Lastly, Jesus says in John 6:39, 40, 44, 54, “I will raise him up at the last day” concerning those who will be raised to new life. And yet Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:14, “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”

6) Jesus fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Who but God could foretell His plans and see them through to completion? Christ Himself said in Luke 24:44, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” The Old Testament prophesied of Christ and all that would happen to Him. These include two very clear depictions of His supremacy:

Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Jesus was born in Bethlehem as recorded in Matthew 2:1, and descended from the clan of Judah as recorded in Matthew 1:1-17.)

Psalms 2:7-9 “I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

7) Through the prophet Isaiah, God made it clear that He was the Savior, King, Holy One, and Lord of Israel; and yet Jesus was proclaimed these.

Savior: In Isaiah 43:11 it says, “I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.” Hosea 13:4 says, “But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.” In Matthew 1:21, Joseph was told “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” The very name of Jesus means “savior.” Jesus came to save His people from their sins. In various passages, Christ is called Lord and Savior. (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 13:23; Ephesians 5:23; Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:18)

King: Isaiah 43:15 says, “I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King.” In addition, Jesus was referred to as the King of Israel in the New Testament. When the wise men came to visit, they asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) When Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, the people worshipped Him by saying, “"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38) When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, he asked Jesus, “Are you King of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.” (Matthew 27:11)

Holy One: Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband-- the Lord Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” When Jesus encountered a man possessed by an evil spirit, the demon cried out, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34) When an angel told Mary of the baby to be born, the angel said: “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Simon Peter, was asked by Jesus if he would leave after some difficult teachings, Peter said in reply, “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:69)

Lord: Countless times in Isaiah, God says, “I am the Lord your God.” (Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 48:17; Isaiah 51:15) In Isaiah 48:17 God says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” In the gospels, Jesus told many to follow Him. (Matthew 4:19; Matthew 8:22; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 19:21; Mark 1:17; Mark 2:14; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:2; Luke 5:27; Luke 9:23; Luke 9:59; Luke 14:27; Luke 18:22; John 1:43; John 10:27; John 12:26; John 21:19; John 21:22) In John 12:26; Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” Additionally, the followers of Jesus referred to Him as Lord countless times. Jesus said Himself in John 13:13, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.”

8) Jesus was sentenced to death for claiming to be the Son of God which was the same as claiming to be God. The Jews at the time viewed the title “Son of God” synonymously with “God.” To say, “Jesus is the Son of God” was the same as saying “Jesus is God.” This is apparent in John 5:18 which says, “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

This truth also becomes obvious through the accusation against Jesus of blasphemy, which meant Jesus claimed to be God. (John 10:33) As mentioned above, Jesus is called the “Son of God,” rather than “God,” because Jesus was also the Son of Man. Jesus was God incarnate, which means that God came down from Heaven and was born as a man. Jesus is both God and man. As such, He is called the “Son of Man” and the “Son of God.”

The Pharisees and religious leaders of the day sought to convict Jesus of sin because of His rising power. However, Jesus had done nothing to break any law. They could find nothing to accuse Him except His claim of being the “Christ”, the Holy One of God. Jesus claimed to be God, and therefore, He was accused of blasphemy. Because of this charge, they arrested Jesus and brought Him before the court.

Standing before the court, they asked Him plainly if He was the Christ. Jesus replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe me.” Then they asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” Jesus replied, “You are right in saying I am.” (Luke 22:67-71) By this statement, Jesus claimed to be God. This was clear by His choice of words. Jesus said, “I am,” which was a direct reference to how God had revealed Himself to Moses. (Exodus 3:14) Because they did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, they accused Him of blasphemy. They did not need to hold a trial as Jesus had clearly testified of Himself saying, “I am.” Because of this, they sentenced Him to death, the punishment for blasphemy.

9) Jesus claimed to be God while also affirming the Old Testament that says there is one God. In the Old Testament, God established that He was not many Gods, but one God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, it says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Jesus would later affirm this truth in Mark 12:29 by quoting the same scripture. Then in John 10:30, Jesus said “I and the Father are one.” Because of this statement, the Jews of the day sought to stone Jesus on the spot for committing blasphemy. When Jesus asked them why they were going to stone Him, they said in verse 33, “‘We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’”

10) Throughout the gospels, Jesus made many claims to His deity. They included:

In Luke 6:5 Jesus says, “The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.” Here Jesus claims to be the master over the Sabbath meaning that He is the one who established it. As such, Jesus is declaring that He instituted the Ten Commandments.

In Matthew 28:18 Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” In this statement, Jesus declares that everything in Heaven and on Earth is under His reign and control. He is the Lord and King over all.

In John 6:51, Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” John 8:23 Jesus says, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Here Jesus clearly indicates that He came down from Heaven.

John 8:58 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” The Israelites considered Abraham to be their father and elder. No one was greater than Abraham, except God alone. Here, Jesus makes it clear that He existed long before Abraham. In addition, by saying “I am,” Jesus was identifying Himself as the same God who spoke to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14.

In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus made it clear that He was the only way to God. This statement clarifies His deity. The only way to know God is through Jesus Christ. He is the perfect expression of God. For instance, inside of me I may have many thoughts and feelings. However, these are held internally. If anyone is to learn of my person, of my inward thoughts and feelings, these must be expressed outwardly. The only way to know me is by what I express. Likewise, the only way to know the invisible God is by His Son Jesus Christ, who is God.

John 14:8-11 says: “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.’”

In John 17:11b Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.” Jesus was given the name of His Father—the name above all names.

11) The apostle Thomas called Jesus “Lord and God” without being corrected. When Christ was raised from the dead, the apostle Thomas did not believe it at first. He demanded to see nail holes in the hands of Christ and even put his fingers in the holes. When Christ came to Thomas, He said “Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” In response to this, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:24-29)

12) Followers of Jesus worshipped Him, though we are commanded to worship God alone. The Ten Commandments makes it clear that Israel was to worship the Lord God and no other. The first commandment listed in Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” In Deuteronomy 6:13 it says, “serve only him.” Jesus also confirmed this when tempted by the Devil. In response to temptation, Jesus said in Matthew 4:10, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Again in Revelation 19:10 an angel said to the apostle John “Worship God.” This was a most serious offense to worship any other god before the one and true God. The Israelites knew this. For this very reason, the Pharisees scolded Jesus as the people worshipped him during his entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. (Luke 19:28-40) Verses 39-40 says: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’ As such, Jesus did not rebuke His disciples. Instead, He welcomed their worship.

Countless other times in the gospels do we find other disciples worshipping Jesus, and Christ did not stop them. At His birth, the wise men came and worshiped Jesus as a baby (Matthew 2:11) When Jesus walked across water to the disciples in the boat and Peter sank as he also tried to walk in faith; they worshipped Jesus. (Matthew 14:22-33) When Jesus had been raised from the dead and the disciples met with Him, they worshipped Him (Matthew 28:9). When Jesus was taken to Heaven during His ascension, the disciples worshipped Him (Luke 24:52). When Jesus healed the blindness of a man, he worshipped Him (John 9:38) When Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her hair, this was an act of worship (Luke 7:38). In every instance, Jesus did not stop anyone from worshipping Him.

13) Jesus is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega. In the first book of Revelation, John heard a loud voice like a trumpet and turned to see who was speaking. Verse 13 says, “among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’.” John then goes on to describe a powerful image of Christ. He then says in Rev 1:17-18 says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’” Who but Jesus had died and been resurrected and lives forever? Clearly, John saw a vision of Christ who is the first and the last. This coincides with Isaiah 44:6 that says, “This is what the Lord says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

Again, Revelation 1:8 says, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Then toward the end of Revelation in chapter 22, Jesus speaks (identified in verse 16 as Jesus) and says in verse 13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

If Jesus were not God Himself, He should have been called the second and not the first. Who but God could be both first and last?

14) Jesus is called the root and branch of David. Revelation 22:16 says: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” In this verse, Jesus clearly testifies that He is both the Son of God and the Son of Man by saying that He is the Root and the Offspring of David. Saying that He is the Offspring of David clearly shows that Jesus was born of man. Saying that He is the Root of David clearly shows that Jesus saw Himself as greater than David. He was the cause of David, meaning that Jesus is the creator of all things. He is both God and man.

15) New Testament writers testify to the deity of Christ.

Romans 9:5 says “Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.”

1 Corinthians 3:23 says, “Christ is of God.”

Colossians 1:15-19 says: “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”

Hebrews 1:3-6 says: “3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."”

Hebrews 1:8 says “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’”

Philippians 2:5-7 says: “5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

1 John 5:1 says “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” Jesus Christ was born of God and conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20). This means the very being of God was brought forth in Christ. He is God in human flesh.

1 John 5:20 says, “We know also 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--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (In John 14:6, Jesus said “I am the life.”)

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (In Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalms 136:3 and 1 Timothy 6:15 God is called the “Lord of lords” while in this verse “the Lamb”—who is Jesus—is called the Lord of lords.)