Some people will claim Jesus was simply a good guy, a man who should be looked up to, or even a prophet. However, Christians believe that Jesus is far more than those things; we believe that Jesus is God. So, the question is, why do Christians believe Jesus is God? Does the Bible even claim that Jesus is God?
Well, the only way to accurately answer a question about what the Bible says is to read the Bible. So here are a few verses to take a look at:
Matthew 1:23 (NKJV) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
If you look at the context of this verse you will see it is talking about Mary and her baby, Jesus. Even Jesus’ name, “Immanuel”, is stating that Jesus is God who has come to earth.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This verse is very straightforward. Another one of the names/titles of Jesus is “Mighty God”.
Titus 2:13-14 (NKJV) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
This verse clearly calls Jesus both: our Savior and our God
John 20:26-29 (NIV) A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
These verses take place after Jesus died on the cross. He has just risen from the dead. In these verses Thomas calls Jesus God and Jesus doesn’t deny the claim, instead He confirms that it is good for Thomas to believe Jesus is God, and goes on to say, it is even good for people who haven’t seen Jesus to believe He is God.
2 Peter 1:1 (NIV) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
In this verse, Jesus is once again referred to as, not only our Savior, but also our God.
John 1:1-18 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
These verses are the opening to the book of John and they clearly refer to Jesus as the “Word” which was with God and was God and created everything and “who is himself, God”.
These are just a few examples of places where the Bible confirms that Jesus is God, but there are many many more.
There is no doubt that the Bible claims Jesus is God.
Also, read the blog post titled: “Did Jesus Claim to be God?” (Click Here)
And, check out our entire section of resources which answer the question: “Is Jesus the Messiah?” (Click Here)
This series of blog posts titled, “Holding on to Reason”, is named after Amanda’s favorite C.S. Lewis quote: “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.”