In the Bible, there is no record of Jesus saying the precise words, “I am God.” However, that does not mean that He did not claim to be God. Take, for example, Jesus’ words in John 10:30 , “I and the Father are one.” At first glance, this would not appear to be a claim to be God. However, listen to the Jews’ reaction to His statement, “For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy; for you, being a man, make yourself God” ( John 10:33 ). The Jews understood Jesus’ claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects them by saying, “I did not claim to be God.” That indicates that Jesus was actually claiming to be God by declaring, “I and the Father are one” ( John 10:30 ). John 8:58 is another example. Jesus told them “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” The response of the Jews who heard this statement was to take up stones to kill him for blasphemy, just as the law of Moses commanded them to do ( Leviticus 24:15 ).
John 1:1 says that “the Word was God.” John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh.” This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Acts 20:28 tells us, “…to shepherd the church of the Lord, which He purchased with His own blood.” Who purchased the church with His own blood? Jesus Christ. Acts 20:28states that God purchased His church with His ownblood. Therefore, Jesus is God!
Concerning Jesus, Thomas the disciple declared, “My Lord and my God” ( John 20:28 ). Jesus did not correct him. Titus 2:13 encourages us to look forward to the coming of our God and Savior – Jesus Christ (see also 2 Peter 1:1 ). In Hebrews 1:8 , the Father declares of Jesus, “But of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of righteousness. ’” The Father refers to Jesus as “O God” indicating that Jesus is truly God.
In Revelation, an angel commanded the apostle John to worship God alone ( Revelation 19:10 ). On a few occasions in Scripture, Jesus receives worship ( Matthew 2:11 ; 14:33 ; 28:9 , 17 ; Luke 24:52 ; John 9:38 ). He never rebuked people for worshiping Him. If Jesus were not God, He would have told people not to worship Him, just as the angel did in Revelation. There are many other verses and passages of Scripture that argue for the deity of Jesus.
The most important reason for saying that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world ( 1 John 2:2 ). A created being, which Jesus would be if He were not God, could not pay the infinite penalty required for sin against an infinite God. Only God could pay such an infinite penalty. Only God could take upon Himself the sins of the world ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ), die, and be resurrected—proving His victory over sin and death.
Is Jesus God? Yes. Jesus declared Himself to be God. His followers believed He was God. The provision of salvation only works if Jesus is God. Jesus is God incarnate, the eternal Alpha and Omega (
Revelation 1:8 ; 22:13 ), and God our Savior ( 2 Peter 1:1 ).