Jesus Is God

“Before philosophy tries to reason it out, before history tries to record it, and before experience tries to explain it — we go to the Word of God. Because the Word isn’t just about truth — it is truth.”

Bring a Bible You Can Open (and Fewer Notifications)

I love Bible apps — cross-references, original languages, instant searches. But let’s be honest: the moment you open your phone to read, notifications swarm. A physical Bible has a holy advantage: no pings, only pages. When you open it, the only “message” you’ll get is from the Holy Spirit speaking through the Word.

If you don’t own a Bible and want one, tell us. We’ll get you a good ESV.

The Big Question: How Do I Know Jesus Is God?

Our series has moved from “How do I know God is real?” (Romans 1) to “How do I know the Bible is God’s Word?”(2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 1). Today we ask: How do I know Jesus is God?

Some say, “Jesus never said the words ‘I am God.’” True — He didn’t use that exact English sentence. He did something far weightier: He used God’s covenant Name and applied to Himself the prerogatives, identity, and worship due only to Yahweh. The result? His opponents tried to execute Him for blasphemy. We’ll let Jesus define Jesus — from His Word.

Scripture First: John’s Opening Claim

John 1:1–5, 9–14“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through Him… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory…”

John deliberately echoes Genesis 1:1. God created by speaking; the Word is the divine agent of creation — and John says plainly, the Word was God… and became flesh. That’s Jesus.

• Eternal: “In the beginning… was.” Jesus didn’t begin; He was.

• Divine & Personal: “With God… and was God.” Distinct from the Father, yet fully God.

• Creator: “All things were made through Him.”

• Incarnate: “The Word became flesh.” Fully God, fully man — not a god, the God enfleshed.

Remove His divinity, and you lose salvation (only God can save).Remove His humanity, and you lose redemption (only a true man can bear our place).

Paul puts it this way: “As by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). We needed a sinless Man to represent us and a divine Savior to redeem us. Jesus is both.

History Confirms a Real Jesus

Every major religion has to account for Jesus:

• Islam: honors Jesus as a great prophet (but not God).

• Hinduism/Buddhism: admire Him as holy or enlightened.

• Judaism: often grants Him rabbi status but denies Messiahship.

• Atheists/Agnostics: may call Him a moral teacher.

No serious historian denies Jesus’ existence. Ancient non-Christian sources (like Tacitus, Josephus, Pliny the Younger) mention Jesus or the early Christian movement. And in terms of textual preservation, the New Testament dwarfs other ancient works in the number and closeness of manuscripts to the originals. In short: Jesus is not myth; He is history.

But the church is perhaps the most visible ongoing evidence: Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Two millennia later, here we are — global, growing, and still built on Christ.

The Apostles: Close Enough to Know

The apostles weren’t dazzled from a distance; they lived with Jesus. The closer they got, the more convinced they became.

1. They Saw More Than a Man

   • His teaching carried unmatched authority.

   • Creation obeyed His voice.

   • He forgave sins (God’s prerogative).

   • Demons bowed; storms stilled.“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:27)

   Practice it: Proximity grows faith. Open your Bible daily; talk with Jesus; walk with Him. You won’t understand everything immediately — but you’ll know enough to never walk away.

2. They Worshiped Jesus — and He Received ItAngels refuse worship. Apostles refused worship (Acts 10:25–26). Jesus received it (e.g., Matthew 14:33; 28:9–10). That would be blasphemy if He were not God.

   Practice it: If worship feels forced, you may not need more music — you may need more revelation. Ask the Spirit to show you Jesus afresh in the Word.

3. They Suffered and Died for What They KnewAfter the resurrection and the gift of the Spirit, the apostles boldly proclaimed Christ at great cost. “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)

   Practice it: Let your confession cost you something — time, comfort, reputation — and watch your courage grow.

Did Jesus Call Himself God? Yes — Clearly.

1) To the Samaritan Woman (Personal Revelation) — John 4:25–26

She says, “I know Messiah is coming…” Jesus replies, “I who speak to you am He.”He identifies Himself as the long-awaited Messiah — and the town believes after hearing Him.

2) To the Jewish Leaders (Divine Name) — John 8:58–59

“Before Abraham was, I AM.”Jesus uses ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi), echoing YHWH (Exodus 3:14). They immediately pick up stones to execute Him for blasphemy. They understood His claim.

3) Before the Sanhedrin (Public, Under Oath) — Mark 14:61–64

High priest: “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”Jesus: “I AM, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”He combines Psalm 110 (right hand of God) and Daniel 7 (the divine Son of Man who receives everlasting dominion). The high priest tears his robes: “You have heard His blasphemy!” It’s clear enough for a death sentence.

Jesus didn’t claim to be “a god.” He claimed to be YHWH’s Son, sharing the Father’s throne, authority, and worship — the Lord.

Names That Reveal God’s Heart (Fulfilled in Jesus)

• Yahweh — I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14): eternal, unchanging.

• Elohim — Creator, Mighty One (Genesis 1:1).

• El Shaddai — God Almighty; all-sufficient (Genesis 17:1).

• Jehovah Rapha — The Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26).

• Jehovah Jireh — The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14).

Jesus embodies these: the eternal “I AM,” Creator through whom all was made, the Almighty who heals and provides — and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Why This Matters Right Now

If Jesus is merely inspiring, you’ll admire Him.If Jesus is truly God, you must surrender to Him.

• He doesn’t offer advice; He gives life (John 1:4).

• He doesn’t just calm storms; He commands creation.

• He doesn’t present a path; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

And He’s not far away. The kingdom is “at hand.” He speaks through His Word. He walks with His people. He answers when we call.

A Simple Next Step

1. Open John’s Gospel (chapters 1, 8, and 20 are a great start).

2. Ask the Holy Spirit: “Show me Jesus.”

3. Respond to what He reveals — with repentance, faith, and worship.

If you’re ready to trust Him:

Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God — fully God and fully man.You lived the life I couldn’t live, died for my sins, and rose again.I turn from my sin and trust You as Lord and Savior.Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me to follow You in Your Word. Amen.

We’d love to pray with you and help you take your next step. Reach out — you don’t have to walk this out alone.

Final Word

Jesus is God. We know it because the Scriptures declare it, history doesn’t deny it, the church embodies it, the apostleswitnessed it, and the Spirit still confirms it.

Now, let’s live like it.