10 Verses that Show Jesus is God
An Essential Doctrine
As Christians, there are certain doctrinal truths that we hold essential. To be considered a true believer, certain truths must be believed!
The Apostle Paul tells us the same in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
The Apostle John does the same in 1 John chapter 2 by emphasizing that if someone doesn’t have Christ right, they don’t have the Father either (1 John 2:22-23). It is possible to have the wrong Jesus, the wrong Christ. If we get Jesus wrong, we don’t have God.
So, what are the clear verses that teach the deity of Jesus Christ? The following texts are in the English Standard Version.
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1). John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
This is a clear parallel to Genesis 1:1-3. God created everything by speaking, by His Word. And that Word is Jesus Christ. And Jesus existed in the beginning with God and as God.
Distinct from God the Father but yet the Son of the Father (John 1:18). Jesus Christ is the eternal Son, the Word of the Father who became human for us.
2). John 8:24, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
In this passage, Jesus tells the Pharisees that He is not of this world but is from above, from heaven (v.23). And Jesus declares to them that if you know and believe in Him, your eternity changes!
Talk about a large claim. Perhaps most important is that Jesus says “I am he.” In the original Greek, Jesus simply says, “for unless you believe that I am …“
And who is the I AM that Jesus refers to? The great I AM of Isaiah 43:10-11 and Exodus 3:14.
3). John 8:58, “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’”
Jesus tells them that even before Abraham existed, He did. He is the I AM that Abraham met in the Old Testament.
Jesus has always existed, the eternal God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And, we know this to be true because in the next verse “they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (8:59, ESV).
4). Mark 14:62-64, “And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned him as deserving death.”
Jesus not only responds with another I AM claim, but He also says that He is the Son of Man.
Who is the Son of Man? This is a clear Scriptural citation of Daniel 7:13-14 — the Son of Man, worshiped, reigning, and having an eternal kingdom.
Jesus is the Son of Man.
5). Hebrews 1:3, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Jesus is the radiance of the unmatchable glory of God and the exact imprint of God’s nature (see also Colossians 1:15-16). To see Christ is to see the perfect nature of God. And as God, He upholds the universe by His powerful, sustaining word.
6). Hebrews 1:6, “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.'”
Here the author of Hebrews cites the Old Testament Scriptures in his entire argument to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus Christ. The first two of the 10 Commandments command us to worship none other but God and God alone.
And here, God Himself commands His angels to worship Jesus Christ. There is only one God and three persons who are equally and co-eternally God.
7). Hebrews 1:8-9, “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'”
Here the author of Hebrews cites the Psalms as God calling someone else God and reigning as God. Two persons are clearly identified as God: the Father and the Son.
8). 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
Clear and simple. Jesus is the true God and to know Him is to have eternal life (see 1 John 1:1-3).
9). 2 Peter 1:1, “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Apostle Peter calls Jesus Christ our God and Savior. Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).
10). Romans 9:5, “To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”
Here, Paul tells us that Jesus is God over all. Period. End of story.
True Christians know the true Christ. And the true Christ is the eternal Son of God.
