Is Jesus God? Exploring the Divinity of Jesus Christ

Who Jesus is has been a topic of theological debate in the Christian community for many years. To His disciples, He is a Master and Teacher, and those who have experienced His mighty work of miracles, a miracle worker. However, whenever the issue of His divine nature as God is mentioned, many are quick to mention His physical birth and human experiences like His sufferings, crucifixion, and death. 

Some of the reasons why the discussion about Jesus being God has persisted and often turned into a controversy can be traced to the scriptures where God called Him His Son after His baptism and where Jesus said Him and God are one. So, people ask questions like, Is Jesus the Son of God, or Is God and Jesus Christ the same person?

God’s Word says God is not the author of confusion. The Bible gives us insight into who Jesus really is. If you want to know if Jesus is God or not, or if the question, “Is God and Jesus the same person?” has been bothering your mind, this article will give you clarity using Bible verses. 

Does Jesus Claim To Be God?

There is no passage in the Bible where Jesus directly states, “I am God.” However, there are Bible verses where He implied that God and Him are one. In John 10:30, Jesus says, “I and My Father are one.” Although He used Father here, Jesus was referring to God. Jesus is the Son of God, and He boldly refers to their Father and Son relationship in His teachings(Matthew 16:13-17, John 20:30-31). Therefore, “I and My Father are one,” declares Jesus and God’s unity of identity, power, and purpose. 

Another famous scripture where Jesus claims He is God is John 14:9. Here, Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus’ proclamation is crucial because one of God’s attributes is His invisibility (1 Timothy 1:17). God is Spirit and cannot be seen with the physical eyes (John 4:24). When Moses asked God to show him His glory, God gave a terrifying response. He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). That is why God speaks through prophets, dreams, visions, and angels. 

However, saying whoever sees Him automatically sees the Father implies God’s manifestation in the flesh to live among men (1 Timothy 3:16). Since God could not come down to earth in His majesty, He came in a related form humans could relate to, and that is Jesus. Therefore, Jesus states that He is God. 

Jesus’ Divinity In The Holy Trinity

A crucial doctrine that proves the Sonship of Jesus, His divinity, and God-nature is the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity refers to the triune nature of God. It states that the Sovereign God exists in three forms or Persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. This does not in any way mean there are three gods, but One God, manifesting in three different dimensions.

God, the Father, is the first person in the Holy Trinity. He is the creator and ruler of the universe. 1 Timothy 1:17 calls Him “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise.” He is the one who gave Abraham the promise, spoke to Moses through the burning bush, appeared to Solomon in the dream, etc. 

God, the Son, is the second person in the Holy Trinity. He is Jesus, and His Hebrew name, Immanuel, means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23). He is God in the flesh. The first prophecy about His birth in Isaiah 9:6-7 proves He is God. Amongst the names He will be called are Mighty God and Everlasting Father. God and Father in these names directly link Him to God. 

Jesus’ virgin birth also shows His divine nature. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born by Mary, a young virgin (Luke 1.26-38). This mysterious birth proved His divinity.

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. He is God’s Spirit, dwelling in those consecrated by Jesus’ blood and living righteously (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation, assuring believers that they are born again and God’s children (Ephesians 1:13).

Jesus’ Miracles 

Talk is cheap. Anyone can wake up and claim they are the Son of God. But Jesus did not only declare His Sonship; His actions proved it. Jesus did many unprecedented miracles that made people accept His divinity. Here are some accounts of His miracles.

One miracle Jesus performed that proved his divine powers was raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). Although Lazarus was not the only one Jesus brought back to life, his case was peculiar and extraordinary. Lazarus was dead for four days, buried, and was already stinking. However, Jesus stepped in and raised him by only crying out, “Lazarus, come forth!” The Bible records that those who saw what He did believe in Him (John 11:1-46). But what did they believe? What Jesus had been preaching – He is the Son of God, sent to the world to save all from sin.

Only a person not from this world can speak to the wind, and it obeys. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and His disciples were in the boat trying to cross to the other side of the river when a raging storm came heavily on them. It shook the boat violently, and the disciples were terrified. But Jesus was in the stern, fast asleep as if nothing was happening. His disciples woke Him, accusing Him of not caring if they perished. However, He arose and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 

Jesus defied natural laws. These miracles are a testament that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus’ Resurrection

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ prove His divine status. His mission was to die for the world’s sins and give everyone who believes in Him the gift of salvation (John 3:16). However, Jesus must conquer death by resurrecting to complete this assignment. His death and resurrection signify the death or defeat of sin and new life. 

Resurrection is a miraculous event that technology cannot replicate. However, Jesus showed He had power over life and death by resurrecting on the third. 

Another sign that Jesus’ resurrection confirms His divine nature is that it fulfills the Old Testament’s prophecies in Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-12. 

Jesus’ Divine Attributes

Jesus possesses certain divine attributes that reflect His nature as the Son of God. 

The first attribute that highlights His divinity is His immaculate conception. Jesus’ earthly mother, Mary, was a virgin, but Jesus was conceived in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Jesus was not a product of sin or fleshly desire but God’s power. He was born pure and holy, without the nature of sin passed down by Adam and Eve.

Jesus is also eternal. He has conquered death and now sits in the heavens with the Father, interceding on our behalf and preparing for His second coming to judge the world and receive the saints. 

He is exalted above all creatures, including angels. He has authority over every power in heaven and on earth. And His name is a powerful force that causes knees to bow and mouth declare his Lordship (Philippians 2:9-11)

Jesus also has the authority to forgive sins. His blood shed on the Cross of Calvary washes sins away and provides a pathway to salvation and reconciliation with God.

Final Thoughts

John 1:1-3 succinctly answers, “Is God and Jesus the same person?” It states that Jesus is the Word and was present at the beginning of the earth’s creation. It adds that Jesus is God and all things were made through Him. 

The Bible is clear about Jesus’ Sonship. As believers, we must understand that Jesus and God are one. Therefore, it does not matter whose name we call when praying or worshipping; our sacrifices go to the same place.