Anyone who comes into contact with Christianity eventually asks the question of whether Jesus is God. Scholars have debated whether it is possible for Him to be God for centuries. When one looks at the Bible the answer is clear. Jesus is clearly understood to be God by multiple authors and biblical characters. In order to show this clearly we simply need to look at the statements they made. Consider the following statements in the Gospels and the Epistles. All the quotes below are in the English Standard Version of the Bible.
Old Testament Prophesies that indicate the Messiah (Jesus) would be God:
Isaiah 9:6 says “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be xupon4 his shoulder, and his name shall be called 5 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jeremiah 23:5-6 says “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” Notice that the term used for “Lord” is the name of God. A name in that culture revealed the identity of the person.
The Apostle Peter said Jesus was God:
Matthew 16:16 says “16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
2 Peter 1:1 says “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…”
The Apostle John said Jesus was God:
John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 19:35, 20:31 says “He who saw it [The Apostle John] has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe…But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
The Apostle Paul said Jesus was God:
Philippians 2:6 says “Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped [held onto]…”
Colossians 1:19, 2:9 says “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him…For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.”
Romans 9:5 says “Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise!”
Titus 2:13 says “as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.“
The author of Hebrews said Jesus was God:
Hebrews 1:8 says “But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”
Jesus is included as a member of the Trinity.
Matthew 28:19 says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit“
Jesus is said to have the attributes of God in the Bible.
I. Eternality means Jesus has no beginning and no end. He has always existed and will always exist. In the Bible God is the only one who is eternal. Jesus is said to be eternal. The following passages demonstrate this: John 1:1, 3:13, 8:58, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 7:3, Revelation1:8.
II. According to John Frame, Immutability means that God does not change in His person, promises, decrees or ethical norms. The following passages demonstrate this: Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8, Psalm 102:25-27, Acts 1:9-11.
III. Omnipresence means that God is present everywhere at all times. Yes, even in Hell. The following passages demonstrate this: Matthew 18:20; 20:28, John 1:48, 14:18,20,23, and Mark 16:19.
IV. Omniscience means that God knows everything. He knows everything that could happen and will happen. Nothing is not known to God. This is stated to be true of Jesus in the following passages: John 2:25, 16:30, 21:17, 6:64, 13:1 and 11, as well as 18:4.
V. Omnipotence means that God is all powerful. Jesus is said to poses the power of God in the following passages: Matthew 9:6, 20:28, Luke 8:25, John 10:18, 17:2, Mark1:29-34, Philippians 3:21, Hebrews 7:25, Revelation 1:8, and 1 Corinthians 15:25.
Conclusion
We have not looked into the demon’s affirmations (Matthew 8:28-29, Mark 3:11-12, 5:6-8, Luke 4:40-41), God the Father’s affirmations (Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Mark 1:11), some of Jesus followers affirmations (Martha – John 11:27, Nathaniel – John 1:49, Thomas – John 20:28, Mark – Mark 1:1), the concept of the “Son of Man” demonstrating He is God, and other related evidence in Scripture. We have also not looked at Jesus statements about Himself or His miracles. Even so, what is above is enough to clearly demonstrate that in the eyes of the biblical authors, Jesus was God, He was part of the Trinity, and fully human at the same time. Why does it matter? If Jesus was not fully God and human He could not have died on the cross for our sin. His death would not have been an acceptable sacrifice. Because Jesus was fully God, and God does not sin, He was able to live a sinless life. His life became a perfect offering for ours. It also matters because God can not lie. Jesus promised to resurrect those who believe in Him when they die (John 6:44-45). He can and must keep His word. If you believe in Jesus you will spend eternity with Him because He said so.