What Does The Bible Say About Jesus Being God?

Throughout the Bible, the word ‘trinity’ is never used, but the triune nature of God is affirmed. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all referred to as God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; Philippians 2:5-6

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2

Jesus is described as the living Word of God, existing from the beginning, with God and as God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1,14

During His ministry, Jesus repeatedly assigns characteristics of God the Father to himself, forgiving sins and describing his equality with God.

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6

For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:18

I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins. John 8:24

I and the Father are one.”  The Jews took up stones again to stone Him.  Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God. John 10:30-33

It is clear that the Jewish leaders of the time accused Jesus of claiming to be God and He had plenty of opportunities to deny this if it was untrue. Instead, Jesus continually draws parallels between himself and the Father, culminating in using the divine name for himself.

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am. John 8:58

Here, Jesus is referring to God the Father declaring his name to Moses

And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you. Exodus 3:14

Jesus receives worship as God, beginning with Thomas and continuing through the early church.

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God! John 20:28

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form. Colossians 2:9

 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  Hebrews 1:3

The trinity is not always easy to understand, especially during Jesus’ earthly ministry. How could God be limited to existing in one place at one time? Was Jesus talking to himself when he cried out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me”? (Matthew 27:46)

While we may not be able to fully understand every aspect of the Trinity, it is clear that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, although united as One, and carry out different roles. For example, at Jesus’ baptism, each member of the Trinity is present in a different way.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

Jesus talks to the Father, and acknowledges that it is for the benefit of those listening.

Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:41-42

In becoming human, Jesus limited his divine nature. For example, he was not omnipresent when he was alive on the Earth. This limitation was willingly taken by Jesus in order to fulfil his mission to die on the cross for our sins. It is hard for us to comprehend but we can be encouraged that it happened for our benefit!

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Phillipians 2:5-8

Leave a Reply