The equality and identity of Jesus Christ as God is clearly stated in the NT, and is also implied by the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. The OT prophecies also point to the divinity of the coming Messiah.
The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ's divinity
Hebrews 1:8 See also Psalm 45:6; John 1:1–2, John 1:18; Romans 9:5 NIV footnote has alternative translations: “Christ who is over all. God be for ever praised!” Or: “Christ. God who is over all be for ever praised!”; Philippians 2:6; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Statements which imply Jesus Christ's divinity
Matthew 1:23 See also Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:15, Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:20
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” ( which means, “God with us”).
Jesus Christ's unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead
Matthew 28:19 See also John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13–14, Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 2:22, Ephesians 3:14–17, Ephesians 4:4–6
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus Christ's eternal nature indicates his divinity
Jesus Christ precedes creation
Colossians 1:17 See also Micah 5:2; John 17:5, John 17:24; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 1:1, 1 John 2:13
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Jesus Christ is everlasting
John 8:58 See also Hebrews 1:12; Psalm 102:27; Hebrews 7:3, Hebrews 7:24, Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8, Revelation 5:13, Revelation 22:13
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Jesus Christ's pre-existence indicates his divinity
John 6:62 See also John 3:13, John 3:31, John 6:41–42, John 13:3, John 16:28
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?
Jesus Christ's manifestation of God's glory indicates his divinity
Hebrews 1:3 See also Matthew 17:2 parallels Mark 9:2–3, Luke 9:29; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4; James 2:1
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Jesus Christ's divinity in the OT
The divinity of the coming Messiah
Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 40:3; Jeremiah 23:6; Malachi 3:1
NT passages which apply OT passages about God to Jesus Christ
Romans 10:13 See also Joel 2:32; John 12:40–41; Isaiah 6:10; Romans 9:33; Isaiah 8:14; Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jesus Christ's claims to divinity
He claimed to be one with the Father
John 5:17–18 See also John 10:30–33, John 10:36–38, John 12:45, John 14:7, John 14:9–11, John 17:11, John 17:21
But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.” Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
He demonstrated his authority to forgive sin
Luke 5:20–24 parallels Matthew 9:2–6, Mark 2:5–10 See also Luke 7:47–48
When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
Jesus Christ's actions imply his divinity
Matthew 8:26–27 parallels Mark 4:39–41, Luke 8:24–25 See also Matthew 12:8 parallels Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5; Luke 8:39 parallel Mark 5:19–20
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
Jesus Christ's resurrection confirms his divinity
Acts 2:36 See also Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:9–11
Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
Jesus Christ's names and titles point to his divinity
Jesus Christ as judge
John 5:27 In the OT, final responsibility for judgment is assigned to God. See also Matthew 25:31–33; Mark 8:38 parallels Matthew 16:27, Luke 9:26; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10
And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
Jesus Christ as ``I am''
John 11:25 “I am” is the meaning of God's name in the OT (see Exodus 3:14). See also John 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:7, John 10:11, John 14:6, John 15:1, John 18:5–6
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
Jesus Christ as Saviour
Acts 5:31 According to the OT, God alone can save. See also Acts 4:12; Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews 7:25
God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Jesus Christ as Lord
Romans 10:9 “Lord” was equivalent to God's name in the OT. See also Luke 1:43, Luke 2:11; John 13:13; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 19:16
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Jesus Christ as creator
Colossians 1:16 See also John 1:3, John 1:10; Acts 3:15; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10; Psalm 102:25
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Jesus Christ as shepherd
Hebrews 13:20 “Shepherd” was a well-known OT name for God. See also John 10:11–16; 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
Those who recognised Jesus Christ's divinity
The disciples
John 20:28 See also Matthew 16:16 parallels Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
The demons
Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41 parallel Mark 1:34
The consequences of recognising Jesus Christ's divinity
Jesus Christ is worshipped as God
Luke 24:52 The fact that no-one but God may be worshipped is fundamental to Judaism. See also Matthew 2:11, Matthew 28:9, Matthew 28:17; John 9:38; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:5–6, Revelation 5:12–13, Revelation 7:10
And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
Prayer is addressed to Jesus Christ
Acts 7:59–60, Acts 9:13; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.