Bible Question:

Is Jesus God?

Bible Answer:

Is Jesus God? Contrary to the claims of some people, the Bible teaches that Jesus was, is and will continue to be God.

Genesis 1:26-27

The Old Testament clearly reveals in numerous passages that Jesus is God. Deuteronomy 6:4 states that there is one God.

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Deut 6:4 (NASB)

The Hebrew word that is translated as “Lord” is Jehovah and the Hebrew word for God” is elohim. It implies that God is plural. The Hebrew word that is translated as “one” is echad and it refers to a diversity within one. That clearly implies a plural-one. God is one and yet He is plural. We believe God is one because scripture teaches that. We also believe that God is plural because it teaches that. How do we understand a plural one? We don’t. We just believe both because both are taught. That helps us understand Genesis 1:26 and 3:22 were it appears that God is speaking to someone else. However, we should understand it as our one God communicating as a trinity.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Another passage that reveals Jesus is our God is Isaiah 9:6-7.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isa. 9:6-7 (NASB)

Luke 1:31-33 looks back to the prophecy and Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus will reign on the throne of King David. That matches with the words in verse 7 of Isaiah 9. But Isaiah 9:6-7 also tells us that this child is the Mighty God and the Eternal Father. That is, Jesus Christ is the eternal God.

Isaiah 48:16

It also helps us understand Isaiah 43 through 48. In this section of Isaiah God tells us repeatedly that He is the one and only God. There is no other god and no other savior. He alone is God and our Savior. Here are a few examples.

“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.” Isa. 43:10

Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none. Isa. 44:8

Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Isa. 45:21

His repeated message is that there is no other God. There is no other Savior, . There is none! Then we arrive at the incredible passage Isaiah 48:16. Here He tells us that Jehovah God (Yahweh) has sent Him and the Holy Spirit.

Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit. Isa. 48:16

Now how can He be the one and only God and also have a God? The message is clear. God is one and yet plural. He is a plural-one God. He is a trinity. We cannot explain how it works but that does not mean it is not true.

Malachi 3:1

In Malachi 3:1 we read this,

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1 (NASB)

Mark 1:2-4 reveals that the messenger is John the Baptist. That is, John the Baptist would clear the way before God, since God is the one who speaks these words in Malachi 3:1. In fact, God even tells us that the messenger would clear the way before Me. Notice the Me at the end of the verse. God says that John the Baptist will clear the way before Him. Now who did John the Baptist prepare the way for? The person was Jesus Christ (Mark 1:7-11). God makes it clearer by adding that the Lord – the Messiah – would come to His temple. The temple was where God met man. So it is His temple. The gospels reveal that Jesus visited the temple at the beginning (John 2:13–16) and end of His ministry (Matthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–19; Luke 19:45–48). So here is another passage where we are told that Jesus is God.

Matthew 1:23

The New Testament teaches the same truth. Matthew 1:23 says this,

“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:23 (NASB)

This is a quote of Isaiah 7:14 which predicted that a virgin would give birth to a son and that He would be God. Matthew is even more explicit in applying this to Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:18-23).

Mark 12:29

The New Testament teaches the same truth. In Mark 12:29 Jesus, Himself, quoted Deuteronomy 6:4,

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD . . .'” Mark 12:29 (NASB)

Then in James 2:19 we are told again that God is one.

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. James 2:19 (NASB)

So do we have to worship a trinity of deities? No, there is only one God.

John 8:56-58

Jesus, Himself, explicitly claimed to be God in John 8:24 and 8:56-58.

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.” John 8:56-58 (NASB)

Here Jesus said that He existed before Abraham. The Jews understood His claim and consequently wanted to stone Him to death. Jesus had claimed to be the great “I AM.” This was how God identified Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:13-15. So, Jesus claimed to be God. He did it earlier in John 5. Verse 18 reveals that the Jewish religious leaders understood His claim. They also understood His claim to be God later in John 10:30-33. In John 20:26-28 one of the disciples, Thomas, called Jesus “My Lord and my God.”

John 10:31-33

Maybe one of the most remarkable passages in the New Testament is John 10:31-33. In this passage we discover that the Jewish leaders understand that Jesus was teaching them and others that He was, is and will be God.

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 10:31-33 (NASB)

The religious leaders understood Jesus’ message. Some today teach that Jesus never said He was God, but this passage proves that He did. John 19:7 demonstrates that the expression “Son of God” is equivalent to claiming to be God. That is “Son of God” means God. Jesus claimed to be the “Son of God” or God.

Titus 2:13

The rest of the New Testament also teaches that Jesus was God. Titus 2:13 makes a clear statement.

. . . looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus . . . Titus 2:13 (NASB)

The Greek grammar uses a Granville-Sharp construction which means that the phrase “God and Savior” refers, not to two separate individuals, but to the same person – Jesus Christ. That is, Jesus is God Himself.

Hebrews 1:8-9

The book of Hebrews has a terrific quote of Psalms 45:6-7 which refers to God anointing God. In Hebrews 1 this passage applies it to Jesus Christ.

But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.” Heb. 1:8-9 (NASB)

This passage indicates that Jesus Christ is God.

1 John 5:20

1 John 5:20 also states that same truth.

And we know 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, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (NASB)

The passage states that Jesus is the true God and then reveals that He will live for eternity. Jesus has been God, is God and will always be God.

Conclusion:

The Bible and Jesus Himself declares that Jesus Christ was, is and will be God.

Suggested Links:

Sin and Salvation
Jesus Our Savior
Who Is God?
Mystery of the Trinity, part 1 — Father, Son, and Spirit
Mystery of the Trinity, part 2 — Father, Son, and Spirit
Who Is Jesus?