The question of whether Jesus is God is one of the most significant questions in all of Christianity. The answer shapes how we understand Jesus, salvation, and even the nature of God Himself. Using the Bible as our foundation, particularly the New King James Version (NKJV), we’ll explore what the Scriptures say about the identity of Jesus.

1. The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-3, 14 is one of the clearest statements about Jesus being God. It says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Here, “the Word” is a title for Jesus. John tells us that the Word was not only with God but also was God. Later in verse 14, we learn that this Word “became flesh,” meaning that Jesus came to earth as a man. This shows that Jesus is fully God and fully man, a central truth of Christianity.

2. Titles of Jesus

Throughout the Bible, Jesus is called names and titles that belong only to God.

• Emmanuel: In Matthew 1:23, Jesus is called “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” This fulfills a prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, showing that Jesus’ coming was not just as a prophet or teacher but as God living among His people.
• The Son of God: In John 10:30-33, Jesus declares, “I and My Father are one.” The Jews understood this to mean that Jesus was claiming to be God, and they accused Him of blasphemy.
• Alpha and Omega: In Revelation 1:8, Jesus says, “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.” Only God can claim to be eternal in this way.

3. Jesus Forgives Sins

Only God can forgive sins. In Mark 2:5-7, Jesus heals a paralyzed man, but before doing so, He says, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The religious leaders who were present questioned this, saying, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

By forgiving sins, Jesus claimed the authority that only He has. Then, to prove His authority, He healed the man, showing that His words were true.

4. Jesus Accepts Worship

In the Bible, only God is worthy of worship (Exodus 20:3-5). Yet, Jesus accepted worship multiple times:

• In Matthew 14:33, after Jesus walked on water, the disciples worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
• In John 20:28, when Thomas saw the risen Jesus, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”

If Jesus were not God, accepting worship would have been wrong. Instead, He welcomed it, affirming His identity.

5. Jesus Performs Works

Jesus did things only God can do.

• Creator: Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible…” This shows that Jesus is the Creator of everything, a role that belongs only to God.
• Sustainer: Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus “upholds all things by the word of His power.” Jesus not only created the universe but also keeps it running.
• Judge: In John 5:22, Jesus says, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” Only God has the authority to judge humanity, yet the Father has entrusted this role to Jesus.

6. Resurrection Proves the Deity of Jesus

One of the most powerful proofs of Jesus is His resurrection. Romans 1:4 says, “And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

No one else in history has conquered death and risen to live forever. His resurrection is the ultimate proof that He is who He claimed to be—God in the flesh.

7. The Trinity

To understand how Jesus can be God, we must also understand the concept of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that God is one being in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.

• In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• In John 14:9, Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

The Trinity, although not mentioned in the Bible, shows us how Jesus can be fully God while also being distinct from the Father and the Spirit.

8. Why Does It Matter?

Understanding that Jesus is God is essential for our salvation.

• The Sacrifice of Jesus: Only God could live a sinless life and pay the price for humanity’s sins. If Jesus were merely human, His death could not save us. But because He is God, His sacrifice is enough to redeem anyone who believes in Him.
• Our Faith: In John 8:24, Jesus says, “For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Recognizing Jesus as God is not optional—it is central to the Christian faith.

9. Common Questions

Some people might argue that Jesus never directly said, “I am God.” While this exact phrase isn’t in the Bible, His words and actions clearly show who He is.

For example, in John 8:58, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” This statement echoes God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where He says, “I AM WHO I AM.” The Jews understood this as a claim to deity and wanted to stone Jesus for blasphemy.

A Resounding YES!

The Bible makes it clear: Jesus is God. From His divine titles to His works, His authority to forgive sins, and His acceptance of worship, everything points to His deity.

Believing that Jesus is God is not just a theological idea—it’s the foundation of our faith and salvation. John 3:16 reminds us:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

If Jesus were not God, He could not offer us eternal life. But because He is God, we can trust Him fully and confidently place our hope in Him.

So, is Jesus God? According to the Bible, the answer is a resounding yes!

Photo credit: Aaron Burton