Is Jesus God? Definition and Background The question “Is Jesus God?” arises from the foundational teachings of Scripture and centers on whether Jesus of Nazareth is fully divine. The Bible presents a unified testimony about Him: He is the Son of God, one with the Father, worthy of worship, and identified with the divine name. This entry explores Old and New Testament passages, early church affirmations, linguistic and historical considerations, and archaeological findings to demonstrate the scriptural answer to this question. Old Testament Foreshadowing From the earliest sections of the Old Testament, there are prophetic and symbolic references that point to a divine Messiah. In Isaiah 9:6, this Messianic figure is called “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father,” signaling that the expected Messiah transcends human origins. King David wrote about an exalted figure who bears divine attributes; in Psalm 110:1, David’s Lord sits at the right hand of God, implying equality with Yahweh. These Old Testament intimations were carefully preserved in manuscripts such as those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Archaeological excavations in the Judean Desert have confirmed that these scrolls, dating from the third century BC to the first century AD, attest to early copies of the Old Testament, underscoring the faithful transmission of these divine Messianic prophecies. Titles of Deity in the New Testament In the New Testament, Jesus is consistently assigned titles that connote divinity: • Word (Logos) – John 1:1 declares: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” • Son of God – Mark 1:1 identifies Jesus as “Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” a phrase equating Him with God’s own nature. • Lord (Kurios) – This title, used in reference to Yahweh in Septuagint translations of the Old Testament, is frequently applied to Jesus (Romans 10:9). The consistent ascription of these divine titles points to an early Christian understanding grounded in firsthand testimony of Jesus’ life and words. Jesus’ Divine Claims One of Jesus’ most direct affirmations is recorded in John 8:58: “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” This explicit use of “I am” (Greek: egō eimi) echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. By using this phrase, Jesus identified Himself with the eternal self-existence attributed solely to Yahweh. Additionally, in John 10:30, He states: “I and the Father are one.” The immediate reaction of the religious authorities — picking up stones to accuse Him of blasphemy — confirms that they clearly understood this as a direct claim to deity (John 10:33). Worship of Jesus Scripture firmly establishes that worship is due to God alone (Matthew 4:10). Yet Jesus receives worship multiple times in the Gospels without rebuking the worshipers. After Jesus walked on water, those in the boat “worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 14:33). Following His resurrection, when Thomas saw the risen Christ, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus confirms Thomas’s declaration, validating it rather than correcting it. Such acceptance of worship is unparalleled among faithful servants of God in Scripture (e.g., angels in Revelation 19:10 consistently refuse worship). Thus, the Gospel writers convey that Jesus alone shares in the divine prerogative to be worshiped. The Early Church Witness From the earliest recorded Christian teachings reflected in the New Testament epistles, believers addressed prayers directly to Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2). Outside the Bible, historical writings from the first and second centuries (e.g., the letters of Ignatius of Antioch) confirm the church’s unified belief that Jesus is fully God. The Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus document Jesus’ historical existence and the strong devotion of His followers. These extra-biblical sources corroborate the New Testament’s claim that believers recognized Jesus as the risen divine Lord. Manuscript Reliability and Consistency The earliest parchment fragments, such as the John Rylands Papyrus (P52) dated to the first half of the second century, attest to minimal textual variation and faithful transmission of John’s Gospel. Studies of thousands of New Testament manuscripts confirm a remarkably high degree of fidelity across centuries. Textual experts have noted the consistency of passages that assert Jesus’ divine identity, indicating no late insertion or forgery of these doctrines. Likewise, the integrity of Old Testament manuscripts, supported by the Dead Sea Scrolls, provides a solid foundation for Messianic prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. These discoveries undergird the trustworthiness of scriptural claims that culminate in the person of Christ. The Resurrection as Ultimate Validation Central to the affirmation of Jesus’ deity is His resurrection from the dead. In Romans 1:4, Paul writes that Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead.” This event stands as the pivotal confirmation of His divine identity. Notably, numerous sources — biblical Gospels and letters, early creeds (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:3–7), and historical references — align on the fact that Jesus’ tomb was found empty, and that He appeared to many individuals and groups after His crucifixion. The swift growth of Christianity in Jerusalem, the willingness of the disciples to face martyrdom, and the recorded testimonies from both believers and skeptics such as Paul of Tarsus all combine to reinforce the authenticity of the resurrection event. Addressing Common Objections Some object that Jesus never explicitly uttered the words “I am God.” However, He employed titles and expressions steeped in Hebrew Scripture that signified deity. Jewish authorities understood these claims, which is evident in their accusation of blasphemy (John 5:18). Others regard the concept of the Trinity as a post-biblical development. Yet Scripture teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each fully possess deity yet remain distinct Persons. Matthew 28:19 instructs baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” underscoring a tri-personal unity in the divine identity. Philosophical and Existential Dimensions Acknowledging Jesus as God is not merely an academic exercise. It holds profound implications for every human life. If He is God incarnate, the statements and moral teachings He gives carry ultimate authority. As He declares in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Such a claim places Christ at the center of humanity’s search for truth, purpose, and eternal life. Conclusion Based on the prophetic foreshadowing of the Old Testament, the explicit claims of Jesus in the Gospels, the witness of early church documents, and the testimonies from manuscript and archaeological research, the scriptural answer to “Is Jesus God?” is a resounding “Yes.” He is identified throughout Scripture as fully divine, worthy of worship, and confirmed by His resurrection. In examining these convergent lines of evidence, the conclusion stands firm: Jesus, while fully man in His incarnation, is also fully God. This truth remains central to the Christian faith and continues to shape believers’ understanding of God’s nature, humanity’s purpose, and the path to salvation. |
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