Is Jesus God?

TL;DR

Jesus Christ is fully God, as affirmed in key scriptures such as John 1:1, Colossians 2:9, and Hebrews 1:3.
Jesus’ deity is evident through His divine attributes, His authority over nature and sin, and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Christ’s deity is central to Christian faith, providing the basis for the doctrine of the Trinity and the assurance of salvation.
Recognizing Jesus as God is essential for a proper understanding of the Gospel and for the believer’s relationship with God.

Jesus’ Identity in Scripture

The Bible unequivocally proclaims Jesus as God. John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This passage not only asserts Jesus’ (the Word’s) existence before creation but also unequivocally identifies Him as God. Similarly, Colossians 2:9 declares, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” affirming His divine nature.

Further, Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Such descriptions are not merely metaphorical but point to the essence of Jesus’ divine nature. Titus 2:13 refers to Jesus as “our great God and Savior,” a clear affirmation of His deity.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly identifies Himself with God. In John 8:58, He says, “Before Abraham was, I am,” invoking the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. These scriptural affirmations lay a solid foundation for the belief in Jesus as God.

Divine Attributes and Authority

Jesus Christ exhibited attributes that can only be attributed to God. He demonstrated omniscience (John 2:24-25), omnipresence (Matthew 18:20), and omnipotence (Mark 4:39). These characteristics are exclusive to God, thereby substantiating Jesus’ divine nature.

Moreover, Jesus exercised authority over nature and sin, realms exclusively under God’s dominion. He calmed storms (Mark 4:39), healed diseases (Matthew 8:3), and forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7). These actions were not just miraculous signs but also attestations of His deity. The religious leaders of His time recognized this, as forgiving sins was considered a prerogative of God alone (Mark 2:7).

The resurrection is another pivotal event that attests to Jesus’ deity. Romans 1:4 states that He “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” The resurrection validates His divine nature and His victory over death, a feat only possible for God.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Jesus’ life fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies specific to the Messiah, who was to be God Himself. Isaiah 9:6 refers to the coming Messiah as “Mighty God,” indicating His divine nature. Micah 5:2 speaks of the ruler to come out of Bethlehem as one “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times,” implying an eternal nature.

These prophecies, written centuries before Jesus’ birth, align precisely with His life and ministry. This fulfillment is not coincidental but a divine orchestration, underscoring His identity as God incarnate. The fulfillment of prophecy is a crucial aspect of Christian apologetics, as it validates the reliability of Scripture and the deity of Christ.

Theological and Doctrinal Implications

The deity of Christ is not a peripheral doctrine but central to Christian theology. It underpins the doctrine of the Trinity, affirming that God exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-equal and co-eternal. The understanding of Jesus as God is crucial for comprehending the nature of God and the mystery of the Trinity.

Moreover, the deity of Christ is essential for the doctrine of salvation. If Jesus were not God, His death would not suffice to atone for the sins of humanity. It is because He is both fully God and fully man that His sacrifice has the power to reconcile us with God (Hebrews 9:14-15). This understanding is vital for a correct view of the Gospel and its implications for salvation.

Conclusion

The biblical evidence, Jesus’ divine attributes, His fulfillment of prophecy, and the theological implications thereof, collectively affirm Jesus Christ’s deity. Recognizing Jesus as God is essential for understanding the Christian faith, the nature of God, and the assurance of salvation.

“Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael Reeves

These books offer deeper insights into the person of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity from a conservative theological perspective.