Is Jesus God?
Is Jesus God? A Biblical and Theological Examination
The question of Jesus’ deity is foundational to Christianity. Some skeptics claim that Jesus never explicitly said, “I am God,” and use this argument to deny His divinity. While the Bible does not record Jesus uttering those exact words, His claims, actions, and the testimony of Scripture leave no doubt that He is God. Understanding this truth is critical, as it lies at the heart of salvation and the Christian faith.
Jesus Claimed to Be God
Jesus’ statements throughout the Gospels make it clear that He claimed to be God. John 10:30 (NKJV) records Jesus declaring, “I and My Father are one.” This claim was not misunderstood by His audience. The Jews immediately picked up stones to kill Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33, NKJV). They recognized that Jesus was claiming equality with God in nature and essence.
In John 8:58 (NKJV), Jesus made another profound statement: “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” By using the name “I AM,” Jesus identified Himself with the name God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (NKJV): “I AM WHO I AM.” This was a direct claim to deity, and the Jews responded by attempting to stone Him, as required by Leviticus 24:16 (NKJV) for blasphemy.
Jesus’ Followers Declared Him to Be God
The testimony of Jesus’ disciples and other New Testament writers confirms His deity. In John 1:1, 14 (NKJV), the apostle John writes: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” These verses establish that Jesus, the Word, is both fully God and fully man.
Acts 20:28 (NKJV) states: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” This passage identifies Jesus’ sacrifice as the blood of God Himself, further affirming His divine nature.
When Thomas the disciple saw the risen Christ, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, NKJV). Jesus did not correct Thomas, which He would have done if the declaration were false. Instead, Jesus affirmed Thomas’ faith.
Paul also acknowledged Jesus as God. Titus 2:13 (NKJV) describes believers as “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Similarly, 2 Peter 1:1 (NKJV) calls Jesus “our God and Savior.”
In Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV), God the Father addresses the Son: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.’” This is a direct declaration of Jesus’ deity by God the Father.
Jesus Was Worshiped as God
The Bible teaches that only God is worthy of worship. Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) recounts an angel rebuking John for attempting to worship him, saying, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant… Worship God!” Yet Jesus consistently received worship without rebuke. For example:
The Magi worshiped Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:11, NKJV).
The disciples worshiped Him after He walked on water (Matthew 14:33, NKJV).
The women worshiped Him after His resurrection (Matthew 28:9, NKJV).
The blind man healed by Jesus worshiped Him (John 9:38, NKJV).
If Jesus were not God, accepting worship would have been blasphemy. Instead, His acceptance of worship affirms His divinity.
The Necessity of Jesus’ Deity
The most compelling reason Jesus must be God lies in the doctrine of salvation. The Bible teaches that all humanity has sinned against an infinite and holy God, incurring an infinite penalty. A finite, created being could never pay such a debt. Only God Himself could provide an infinite, sufficient sacrifice for sin.
1 John 2:2 (NKJV) says, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” Only God could bear the sins of the world and satisfy His own justice. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) explains, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus, as fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to accomplish this.
Jesus as the Eternal God
Jesus is not only the Savior; He is the eternal God, the Alpha and the Omega. Revelation 1:8 (NKJV) declares: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus shares the same titles and attributes as God the Father, demonstrating His eternal nature and divine authority.
Conclusion: Jesus Is God
The Bible’s testimony about Jesus leaves no doubt: He is God incarnate. Jesus claimed to be God, His followers declared Him to be God, and His divine identity is essential for the provision of salvation. John 14:6 (NKJV) reminds us of His exclusive role in salvation: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Recognizing Jesus as God is not optional—it is the foundation of Christian faith and the means by which we receive eternal life.
As believers, let us worship Jesus as Lord and God, proclaim His deity boldly, and trust in His all-sufficient sacrifice for our salvation. Philippians 2:10–11 (NKJV) declares: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
