Where’s the Proof?

If someone asked you why you believe that Jesus is God, what would you say? What “proof” could you give? Sadly, those who most loudly demand “proof” of Jesus’ deity are often the same ones who have already rejected the source of such evidence: “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). However, honest seekers will find more than enough food for their faith in God’s Word.

Jesus Claimed to Be God

Jesus said, “I and My Father are one.” Some may argue that this statement is ambiguous, but from the next few verses it is obvious that those who heard it clearly understood what He was saying: “then the Jews took up stones to stone Him … because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God” (John 10:30-33). Jesus also sent them looking for rocks when He said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” invoking the title “I AM” used by Jehovah (John 8:58).

At another time Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father.” Jesus answered, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (John 14:8-10).

Jesus Received Worship as God

The Scriptures make it clear that only God is to be worshipped. We read of angels and apostles adamantly refusing worship (Acts 10:25,26;14:11-15 and Revelation 19:10;22:8,9). Even Jesus said, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).

It is a striking statement of His deity, then, to see Him accepting the worship of others. When Jesus calmed the troubled sea, His disciples “came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). After Jesus rose from the dead, we read in Matthew 28:9 that they “held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.” (See also John 9:35-38; Luke 24:52.)

Others Declared Him to be God

John declares, “The Word was God” (John 1:1) and “We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

Thomas, the “doubting disciple,” upon seeing the resurrected Christ, proclaimed “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28).

The apostle Paul states “Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever” (Romans 9:5), “In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9), and “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). 

And here’s the clincher, the testimony of God the Father: “Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8).