The Deity of Christ

I was recently asked how we know Jesus is divine. The question of the deity of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith. The Word of God presents Jesus as God. There can be no doubt about it. Here are the five main evidences why I believe Jesus is God.


Jesus claimed to be equal to God the Father. The Jews of his day certainly understood that. John 5:17-18 Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” John 10:30-33 “I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”


Jesus’ name is the same as God. God gave us his name in the Old Testament: Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”  God identified Himself as the great I AM. Jesus identified Himself as the great I AM. John 8:58-59 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” Again His fellow countrymen knew He was using the name of God for Himself. He is claiming to be the great I AM. He was also claiming preexistence. He preexisted with God for He was God (John 1:1).


Jesus is worshiped as God. Exodus 34:14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Jesus was worshipped as God by angels: Hebrews 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” We see the worship of the doubter, Thomas, given to Jesus. John 20:27-28 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!” Jesus accepted such worship.


Jesus shares the Glory of God. God has made clear He will not share His glory: Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another....” Yet Jesus had that glory and would regain that glory after His resurrection and ascension. John 17: And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” Paul tells us that God the Son temporarily “emptied Himself” (Phil. 2:7) to become a man, but the Father highly exalted Him because of His death, burial, and resurrection.  That past glory was restored in His ascension back to be at the right hand of God the Father. To have the same glory as God the Father means He is God.


Jesus is given the titles of God. This is clear in the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:8, 17-18 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” ...  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Notice the divine titles of Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty, First and the Last, Living One. All are given to Jesus the one who died, resurrected, and lives forever. He is alive. This book is the revelation of Jesus the Divine Son!


Phil. 2:9 “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” What is true of God is true of Christ, for He is God.