On the surface, it looks like there is only One God, therefore the answer to the question "Is Jesus God?" must be a simple one - as we can read throughout the Bible that God is One and there is no other. This also rules out there being multiple gods.
For example, here are three texts from the KJV:
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6
"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:5-6 "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." Isaiah 46:9
Even Jesus Himself agreed with the verses above "there is one God" 1 Timothy 2:5
So where does the idea that Jesus is God come from?
An Examination of Scripture to the claim that Jesus is God.
The divinity of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Christian theology. The following explores this profound truth using three perspectives: 1) Jesus' own words, 2) the words of His followers, and 3) the words of those who were not His followers. All references are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.
1. Jesus' Own Words
Jesus made several claims about His divine nature, often using language that resonated deeply with the Jewish understanding of God.
John 8:58: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." Here, Jesus adopts the divine name "I am," echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14 ("I AM THAT I AM"). This statement was understood as a claim to divinity, as evidenced by the reaction of His audience, who sought to stone Him for blasphemy.
John 10:30: "I and my Father are one." This declaration of unity with God led the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy, as they understood it to mean He was claiming equality with God (John 10:33).
John 14:9: "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Jesus identifies Himself as the visible representation of the invisible God.
2. The Words of His Followers
The disciples and apostles of Jesus affirmed His divinity in their teachings and writings, providing a consistent testimony.
John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." The apostle John explicitly identifies Jesus as God who became incarnate.
Colossians 2:9: "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Paul affirms that Jesus possesses the full nature and essence of God.
Hebrews 1:8: "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 45:6, applying it directly to Jesus, calling Him God.
Matthew 16:16: "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter’s confession acknowledges Jesus’ divine nature.
3. The Words of Those Who Were Not His Followers
Even those who opposed Jesus or were not His followers recognised His claims to divinity, albeit often with hostility.
John 5:18: "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." This passage shows that Jesus’ contemporaries understood His claims as assertions of equality with God.
Matthew 27:54: After witnessing the crucifixion, the Roman centurion declared, "Truly this was the Son of God." Though not a follower, this soldier recognised something extraordinary about Jesus.
John 19:7: "The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God." Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God was understood as a claim to divinity, leading to accusations of blasphemy.
To summarise
The testimony of Jesus, His followers, and even His opponents provides a compelling case for His divinity. Jesus’ own words reveal His self-understanding as God, His followers consistently affirmed His divine nature, and His detractors recognised His claims, even if they rejected them. The Bible, offers a unified witness to the truth that Jesus is God.
What if I don't believe He is God?
Jesus said: “if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” Matthew 24:5
Jesus said: “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” John 8:24 “let God be true, but every man a liar” Romans 3:4
You must seek after the true God man, Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus said "It is finished" John 19:30
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