Did Jesus Claim To Be God | Menorah Ministries

Does Jesus

Claim

To Be God?

For Jesus to say that he was God without qualification would have meant that he was claiming

to be the same Person commonly referred to by Jews as the Father. Yet Jesus was not the same

Person as the Father, but was personally distinct from him, although sharing the same essence

and nature with him.

As a matter of fact the question was never asked of him;

at most he was asked about his relationship to God.

The Bible never records Jesus saying the precise words, “I am God.” That does not mean, however, that He did not proclaim that He is God. Take for example Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” We need only to look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement to know He was claiming to be God. They tried to stone Him for this very reason: “You, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming—deity. When Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one,” He was saying that He and the Father are of one nature and essence. John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth … before Abraham was born, I am!” Jews who heard this statement responded by taking up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, as the Mosaic Law commanded (Leviticus 24:16).

Did Jesus ever say the exact words "I am God?"

No, Jesus never said the exact three words, "I am God." But Jesus also never said the exact four words, "I am a prophet," or the exact four words "I am a man," but we know he was both a prophet and a man. It is not necessary for Jesus to say the exact phrase "I am a man," for us to know that he was a man. Likewise, it is not necessary for Jesus to utter the exact three words "I am God," in order for us to determine whether or not he is divine. Jesus may not have said the exact sentence "I am God," but he did claim the divine name for himself (Exo. 3:14 with John 8:58), and he also received worship (Matt. 2:2; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38).When Moses was up at the Mount speaking to God, Moses asked God what his name was. God said, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, 'Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel,' 'I AM has sent me to you.' (Exodus 3:14). In John 8:58 Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Right after this the Jews picked up stones to throw at him. Later, in John 10:30-33 Jesus claimed to be one with the Father; and the Jews wanted to stone him again because they said to Jesus, "You, being a man, make yourself out to be God." Jesus had claimed the divine name for his own, and the Jews wanted to kill him for it. Therefore, from Jesus' own mouth we see that he was claiming to be God.

The words "I am"

Now please understand that anyone can say the words "I am," and it does not mean that he is claiming to be God. Someone could say, "I am over here." That is not claiming the divine name. Likewise, someone could say, "I am hungry," or "I am sick." Neither example is claiming divinity because the use of the term "I am" in context clearly shows us that is not what is occurring. But, in John 8:58 when Jesus said "before Abraham was born, I am," the Jews knew exactly what he was saying. Notice that he says before Abraham was born (using the past tense), and then he switches to the present tense when he says "I am." Jesus switches tenses of the verbs on purpose, so that when he does so in the context of referencing Abraham, Jesus is clearly drawing the Jews' attention to the Old Testament Scriptures and then using a present tense form of the verb "to be" by saying "I AM." Someone who says "I am hungry" is not drawing attention to the Old Testament Scriptures for context.

Jesus was clearly causing the Jews to reflect upon the divine name "I am" that Jesus used for himself. We know that they understood this because as is said above, they said, "You, being a man, make yourself out to be God." (John 10:33).

The Muslims agree with the Jews

But what is noteworthy is that the Jews, like the Muslims, deny that Jesus is God in flesh. Therefore, the Muslims are united with the Jewish people in denying who Jesus claimed to be, the "I am."

Conclusion

It is not necessary that Jesus say a certain phrase in order for the truth of who he is to be made clear. The issue is not if he speaks a certain sentence that we construct in present terms in order to satisfy our theological demands. The issue is what did Jesus say in the context and culture of the time in which he spoke.

Finally, we know that Jesus is God in flesh because the Bible tells us so.

John 1:1,14, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . .

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from

the Father, full of grace and truth."

Hebrews 1:8, "But of the Son He says, 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the

righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.'"

Who does the Bible claim Jesus is:

Revelation 1:7-8 says that Jesus Christ is the Almighty.
But Genesis 17:1 says that the Almighty is God.

John 8:58 says that Jesus Christ is the "I Am"
But Exodus 3:14 says that the "I Am" is God

Acts 3:14 says that Jesus Christ is the "HOLY ONE"
But Isaiah 43:15 says that the "HOLY ONE" is God

John 8:24 says that Jesus Christ is the "I Am He"
But Isaiah 43:10 says that the "I Am He" is God

Revelation 22:13 says that Jesus Christ is the "First and the Last"
But Isaiah 44:6 says that the "First and the Last" is God

I Corinthians 10:4 says that Jesus Christ is "The Rock"
But Psalm 18:31 says that "The Rock" is God

John 5:21 says that Jesus Christ raises the dead.
But 1 Sam 2:6 says that God raises the dead

John 8:12 says that Jesus Christ is the Light
But Isaiah 60:19-20 says that God is the Light.

Matt 25:31-46 says that Jesus Christ is the Judge
But in Joel 3:12 it says that God is the Judge

Colossians 1:16 says that Jesus Christ is the Creator of angels:
But Psalms 148:5 says that the Creator of angels is God

Hebrews 1:6 says that angles worship Jesus Christ
But in Psalm 148:2 it says that angles worship God

II Corinthians 11:2 says that Jesus Christ is the "One HUSBAND"
But Jeremiah 31:32 says that the "One HUSBAND" is God

Matthew 23:8 says that Jesus Christ is the "ONE MASTER"
But Malachi 1:6 says that the "ONE MASTER" is God

John 10:16 says that Jesus Christ is the "One SHEPHERD"
But Isaiah 40:11 says that the "ONE SHEPHERD" is God

Acts 4:12 says that Jesus Christ is the "ONE SAVIOR"
But Isaiah 45:21 says that the "ONE SAVIOR" is God

Luke 1:68 says that Jesus Christ is the "ONE REDEEMER"

But Isaiah 41:14 says that the "ONE REDEEMER" is God

Revelation 19:16 says that Jesus Christ is "LORD OF LORDS
Deuteronomy 10:17 says that the "LORD OF LORDS" is God

Philippians 2:10 says that Every Knee must bow to Jesus Christ
But Isaiah 45:23 says that Every Knee must bow to God

John 1:3-10 says that Jesus Christ is the "ONE CREATOR"
But Genesis 1:1 says that the "ONE CREATOR" is God

John 1:49 says that Jesus Christ is "KING OF ISRAEL"
But Isaiah 44:6 says that the "KING OF ISRAEL" is God

1 John 4:15 says that Jesus Christ is "GOD’S SON"
But Proverbs 30:4 says that God has a SON

Does Jesus claim to be God:

John 4:24-25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah comes," (he who is called Christ). "When he has come, he will declare to us all things."

Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who speaks to you."

John 5:18 For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 10:30-33 “I and the Father are one."

Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"

The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."

John 14:8-9 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me;

John 20:28-29 "Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

Revelation 1:8, 12-18 “ I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. ... I turned around to see who was speaking to me; and when I had turned, I saw seven gold menorahs; and among the menorahs was someone like a Son of Man, wearing a robe down to his feet and a gold band around his chest. His head and hair were as white as snow-white wool, his eyes like a fiery flame, his feet like burnished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, out of his mouth went a sharp double-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand upon me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18 the Living One. I was dead, but look! — I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Sh’ol.

Why Did Jesus Not Openly Reveal

His Full Identity?

Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever

claim to be God?

Did Jesus really say He was God?

Was Jesus the image of God?

If you want to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ,

then call on Him, asking Him for this gift right now.

HERE IS A SUGGESTED PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner

and do not deserve eternal life.

But, I believe You died and rose from the grave