3) God, the Son
The divinity of Jesus Christ - Biblical proofs that Jesus is fully God
Jesus Christ is the center of Christian faith. But who is He really? A great teacher? A prophet? Or something infinitely greater? The Bible reveals that Jesus is not merely human: He is fully God, the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.
Jesus is Called God
How does John describe Jesus at the beginning of his Gospel?
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Answer: The Word was with God and the Word was God
John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John is clear and direct: the Word (Jesus) not only was “with” God: He “was” God. The Greek text does not allow the translation “a god” as some try to suggest. Jesus is God in the fullest sense of the word.
What did Thomas declare when he saw the risen Jesus?
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Answer: 'My Lord and my God!'
John 20:28: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God."
Thomas recognized Jesus as both Lord and God. If Jesus were not God, He would have corrected Thomas immediately, as angels did when men attempted to worship them. Instead, Jesus accepted the declaration.
How does the Father refer to the Son in Hebrews?
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Answer: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever'
Hebrews 1:8: "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
The Father Himself calls the Son “God”! There is no higher testimony. If the Father, who is the source of all truth, calls Jesus God, who are we to deny it?
“The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption.” — Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 222, par. 2.
Jesus Possesses Divine Attributes
Did Jesus exist before being born in Bethlehem?
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Answer: Yes — 'Before Abraham was, I am'
John 8:58: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
“I am” (ego eimi) is the divine name revealed to Moses (). Jesus deliberately used this name for Himself, declaring His eternality and divinity. The Jews understood perfectly — that’s why they picked up stones to stone Him for “blasphemy.”
Who created all things?
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Answer: In Him (in Christ) were all things created
Colossians 1:16: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"
Jesus is not a creature: He is the Creator! “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing that has been made was made.” If Jesus created “all things,” He Himself cannot be a created thing.
“In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. ‘He that hath the Son hath life.’ The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 530, par. 3.
Does Jesus know the thoughts and hearts of people?
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Answer: Yes, He knew what was in man
John 2:24-25: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
Omniscience (knowledge of all things) is an exclusively divine attribute. Yet Jesus repeatedly demonstrated knowing the secret thoughts of people, proving His divinity.
Jesus Did What Only God Can Do
Did Jesus have authority to forgive sins?
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Answer: Yes — and the Pharisees recognized that only God can forgive sins
Mark 2:5-7: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"
The scribes were right: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus did not correct them: He demonstrated His authority by healing the paralytic. If He can forgive sins, He is God.
Did Jesus accept worship?
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Answer: Yes, His disciples worshipped Him and He did not prevent them
Matthew 14:33: "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."
Angels refuse worship (). Peter refused worship (). But Jesus accepted worship repeatedly. Either He is God and deserves worship, or He is a deceiver. There is no middle ground.
The Incarnation of the Son
What happened when 'the Word became flesh'?
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Answer: The divine Son assumed human nature without ceasing to be God
John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
In the incarnation, Jesus did not cease to be God: He added human nature to His divine nature. He is 100% God and 100% man, two natures in one person.
Why was it necessary that the Savior be both God and man?
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Answer: To be a merciful and faithful High Priest on behalf of men
Hebrews 2:17: "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
“Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, the base resting on the earth, and the topmost round reaching to the gate of heaven, to the very threshold of glory.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 311, par. 5.
And Now?
Recognizing Jesus as God has important implications:
- Our salvation is secure: A merely human savior could not rescue us; but the God-man can.
- We can worship Him: Worshiping Jesus is the correct recognition of who He is.
- His words have absolute authority: If Jesus is God, we must obey His teachings.
- His sacrifice has infinite value: Christ’s sacrifice has infinite value because the One who died for us is the eternal Son of God made man.
My Decision
I believe Jesus Christ is fully God — co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. He is my Creator, my Savior and my Lord. With Thomas, I declare: “My Lord and my God!” I choose to worship Him and obey Him in all things.