Is Jesus God?

[Prov910]

New guy here, with a new guy question. Background: I'm a longtime Christian, and I've spent a lot of time over the years studying the bible and various Christian books. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But lately I've been mulling over a rather troubling question:


Is Jesus God?


I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:


Jesus is God:

• Jesus forgave sins. (Matt 9:2)
• Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
• Jesus performed miracles.
• Jesus knew thoughts. (Luke 5:22)

Jesus isn't God:

• Jesus prayed to God. (Matt 26:36)
• Jesus "knows" the father. (Matt 11:27)
• God was well pleased with his son. (Mark 1:11)
• Jesus' Father’s house has many rooms. (John 14:2)
• No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (John 14:2)
• "If you really know me, you WILL know my Father as well." (John 14:2; emphasis added on WILL)
• "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing ... because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
• you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. (Mark 14:62)
• Jesus was a human man on earth (before crucifixion) born of a human mother, Mary.

Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?


What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?

(Sorry for the extremely long question. )

 

[JaumeJ]

To the titled question: when we read all of the Word, we know He is God. As for the mysstery of how God chooses to manifest Himself, this will be revealed, in God's time.

Meanwhile, do not attempt to make beliving this impossible, for we are know for believing in things unseen. Actually you will never have peace unles you have this faith to believe such. God bless all in Jesus Christ, Who is God, amen.

 

[trofimus]

New guy here, with a new guy question. Background: I'm a longtime Christian, and I've spent a lot of time over the years studying the bible and various Christian books. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But lately I've been mulling over a rather troubling question:


Is Jesus God?


I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:


Jesus is God:

• Jesus forgave sins. (Matt 9:2)
• Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
• Jesus performed miracles.
• Jesus knew thoughts. (Luke 5:22)

Jesus isn't God:

• Jesus prayed to God. (Matt 26:36)
• Jesus "knows" the father. (Matt 11:27)
• God was well pleased with his son. (Mark 1:11)
• Jesus' Father’s house has many rooms. (John 14:2)
• No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (John 14:2)
• "If you really know me, you WILL know my Father as well." (John 14:2; emphasis added on WILL)
• "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing ... because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
• you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. (Mark 14:62)
• Jesus was a human man on earth (before crucifixion) born of a human mother, Mary.

Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?


What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?

(Sorry for the extremely long question. )

Jesus is God, but Jesus is not Father (therefore He could pray to Him).

For a better understanding, see this illustration:

Est = is
Non est = is not
And you probably guess the rest of the words.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Jesus is God as we learn in the gospel of John.

[h=1]John 1New International Version (NIV)[/h][h=3]The Word Became Flesh[/h][FONT=&quot]1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

We are told Jesus is God. Now to understand How that takes faith

[/FONT]

 

[mailmandan]

In John 8:58, Jesus said - "I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM." Again, in response, the Jews take up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59). Why would the Jews want to stone Jesus if He hadn’t said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God? John repeatedly tells us of the Lord's connection to "I AM". See John: 4:26, 8:24, 8:28, 8:58, and 13:19.

In John 10:30, Jesus said - "I and the Father are one." Look at the Jews reaction in John 10:33 - The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." Here we see an actual claim. The Jews understood Jesus’ statement to be a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, "I did not claim to be God." That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus "..is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And he is before all things, and by Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:15-17)

Hebrews 1:8 - But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.

John 1:1 clearly says - In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and "the Word was God." John 1:14 says that "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh.

Colossians 2:9 (NKJV) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 - (Amplified) For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God].

Matthew 1:23 - Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

In John 20:27, Jesus said to Thomas - "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 - And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" JESUS IS GOD.

 

[blue_ladybug]

In human form, yes He was.

 

[Prov910]

Jesus is God as we learn in the gospel of John.

John 1New International Version (NIV)

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

We are told Jesus is God. Now to understand How that takes faith

This is an excellent, excellent passage. In particular, John 1:18 NIV would go a long ways towards answering my question. Except when you look at the different versions it raises more questions.

Your NIV says: "who is himself God"

But the original Greek says: "ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ Πατρὸς". This translates to "being in the bosom of the father"
I generally prefer the NIV, but in this case the KJV is closer to "being in the bosom of the father". Is "being in the bosom of the father" the same as "who is himself God"?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Why does God call Jesus God in Heb. 1:8
How was it possible for Jesus to know all things (John 21:17)? When only God is omnicient?
How can Jesus know all men (John 16:30)?
How can Jesus be everywhere (Matt. 28:20)? When only God is omnipresent?
How can Jesus, the Christ, dwell in you (Col. 1:27)?
How can Jesus be the exact representation of the Nature of God (Heb. 1:3)?
How can He be our only Lord and Master (Jude 4)?
How can Jesus create all things (Col. 1:16-17), yet it is God who created all things by Himself (Isaiah 44:24)?
Why was Jesus worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6) when He says to worship God only (Matt. 4:10)?
In the OT God was seen (Exodus 6:2-3; 24:9-11; Num. 12:6-9; Acts 7:2), yet no man can see God (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18). It was not the Father that was seen in the OT (John 6:46). Who, then were they seeing?
why did Thomas call jesus God (john 20 - 28 - 29) and Jesus tell him he was correct if he was not God?

 

[Roughsoul1991]

This is an excellent, excellent passage. In particular, John 1:18 NIV would go a long ways towards answering my question. Except when you look at the different versions it raises more questions.

Your NIV says: "who is himself God"

But the original Greek says: "ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ Πατρὸς". This translates to "being in the bosom of the father"
I generally prefer the NIV, but in this case the KJV is closer to "being in the bosom of the father". Is "being in the bosom of the father" the same as "who is himself God"?

Lol whats a bosom

 

[Prov910]

In John 8:58, Jesus said - "I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM."

But just a couple verses before Jesus says, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 1:54)

Why would the Jews want to stone Jesus if He hadn’t said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God?

The Pharisees viewed Jesus as a threat to their religious leadership (and associated commerce), rather than worshiping God. After Jesus' crucifixion it was clear to all--even to the Roman soldiers who crucified him--that they had killed the son of God. Yet, despite this, only a couple days later the Sanhedrin bribed the guards to lie about Jesus' resurrection.

In John 10:30, Jesus said - "I and the Father are one."

Does this mean that Jesus is God, or that Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus? These are the things I wonder about.

=====================================

Gotta go for now. I have a 6:00am men's bible study to go to. And then a 7:30 breakfast meeting with some clients. Thanks all!

 

[mailmandan]

Does this mean that Jesus is God, or that Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus? These are the things I wonder about.

If the Jews were ready to stone Jesus for claiming to be God and the Father called Jesus God and John said the Word was God and became flesh (speaking of Jesus) and Jesus is called Emmanuel with means "God with us" and Thomas said to Jesus, "my Lord and my God" then Jesus must be God.

There is one God in essence/nature; yet three distinct persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

[Ariel82]

Lol whats a bosom

Heart/chest

 

[oldhermit]

New guy here, with a new guy question. Background: I'm a longtime Christian, and I've spent a lot of time over the years studying the bible and various Christian books. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But lately I've been mulling over a rather troubling question:


Is Jesus God?


I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:


Jesus is God:

• Jesus forgave sins. (Matt 9:2)
• Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
• Jesus performed miracles.
• Jesus knew thoughts. (Luke 5:22)

Jesus isn't God:

• Jesus prayed to God. (Matt 26:36)
• Jesus "knows" the father. (Matt 11:27)
• God was well pleased with his son. (Mark 1:11)
• Jesus' Father’s house has many rooms. (John 14:2)
• No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (John 14:2)
• "If you really know me, you WILL know my Father as well." (John 14:2; emphasis added on WILL)
• "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing ... because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
• you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. (Mark 14:62)
• Jesus was a human man on earth (before crucifixion) born of a human mother, Mary.

Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?


What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?

(Sorry for the extremely long question. )

Your questions seem to be honest ones an I understand your confusion on this subject. The first question you need to address is not "is Jesus God" but "what is God?" I think when you begin to see this you will be able to answer these questions for yourself. I am out of town at the moment but will be home tomorrow and would like to discuss some things with you if you are willing.

 

[trofimus]

This is an excellent, excellent passage. In particular, John 1:18 NIV would go a long ways towards answering my question. Except when you look at the different versions it raises more questions.

Your NIV says: "who is himself God"

But the original Greek says: "ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ Πατρὸς". This translates to "being in the bosom of the father"
I generally prefer the NIV, but in this case the KJV is closer to "being in the bosom of the father". Is "being in the bosom of the father" the same as "who is himself God"?

You cannot compare KJV and NIV, because KJV used different Greek edition than NIV.

"Who is himself God" is not in KJV, because it was not in the Greek text they used in the middle ages in England.

It is in the older and better Greek texts, therefore NIV included it:

Θεὸν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακεν πώποτε· μονογενὴς Θεὸς ὁ ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ Πατρὸς, ἐκεῖνος ἐξηγήσατο.
Θεὸν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακε πώποτε· ὁ μονογενὴς υἱός, ὁ ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ πατρός ἐκεῖνος ἐξηγήσατο.

KJV has "son", NIV has "God".

 

[mailmandan]

When I was a child, I was very confused about the Trinity. I saw the Father as God Almighty, but I saw Jesus as "less than" God the Father, but still very powerful, then I saw the Holy Spirit as a bunch of guardian angels. Talk about confused!

A word that really helped me to understand the Trinity is the word "co-equal." The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are "co-equal" in essence/nature; yet three distinct persons.

 

[PennEd]

But just a couple verses before Jesus says, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 1:54)


The Pharisees viewed Jesus as a threat to their religious leadership (and associated commerce), rather than worshiping God. After Jesus' crucifixion it was clear to all--even to the Roman soldiers who crucified him--that they had killed the son of God. Yet, despite this, only a couple days later the Sanhedrin bribed the guards to lie about Jesus' resurrection.



Does this mean that Jesus is God, or that Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus? These are the things I wonder about.

=====================================

Gotta go for now. I have a 6:00am men's bible study to go to. And then a 7:30 breakfast meeting with some clients. Thanks all!

Hello, and welcome to CC!

You did not address Dan's other Scripture, especially dealing with one of His Names. Emanuel, translated "GOD WITH US".

Also, God does not allow ANY but Himself to be worshiped, but we know that EVERY knee will bow, and EVERY tongue confess Jesus as Lord, to the Glory of the Father.

I think there IS a HUGE problem not recognizing Jesus as God in human form. This is the stumbling block of most cults, like JW's , Mormons, and Islam. They do NOT believe Jesus is God.

I pray the Holy Spirit will give you this revelation.

 

[Depleted]

This thread should clear it up -- http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/147130-why-jesus-god-explanations-jws.html -- And, yes! He's God. (Either that or the world's biggest scammer.)

 

[GeorgieDog]

God is Spirit. The world was created through the Spirit, which according to Colossians, the world was created through Christ Jesus.

Jesus said that He and the Father were one!

"Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God is One"

The Lord God of the Old Testament, is one and the same Lord God of the New Covenant.

Dada,dada,da,da,....Hey!!!!

 

[GeorgieDog]

Jesus gave to us the new covenant, sealed (authorship) by His own blood.

He gave us the old Covenant, which could only be fulfilled through its original executor...Jesus.

The God of both Covenants is the same Lord God.

The world was created through the Spirit(Genesis) which is Christ (Colossians) Father,Son,Holy Spirit= Jesus!

 

[bluto]

New guy here, with a new guy question. Background: I'm a longtime Christian, and I've spent a lot of time over the years studying the bible and various Christian books. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But lately I've been mulling over a rather troubling question:


Is Jesus God?


I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:


Jesus is God:

• Jesus forgave sins. (Matt 9:2)
• Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
• Jesus performed miracles.
• Jesus knew thoughts. (Luke 5:22)

Jesus isn't God:

• Jesus prayed to God. (Matt 26:36)
• Jesus "knows" the father. (Matt 11:27)
• God was well pleased with his son. (Mark 1:11)
• Jesus' Father’s house has many rooms. (John 14:2)
• No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (John 14:2)
• "If you really know me, you WILL know my Father as well." (John 14:2; emphasis added on WILL)
• "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing ... because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
• you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. (Mark 14:62)
• Jesus was a human man on earth (before crucifixion) born of a human mother, Mary.

Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?


What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?

(Sorry for the extremely long question. )

Welcome to the forums pro. Your second question which comes in all kinds of forms from the anti's that do not beleive Jesus Christ is God such as, "If Jesus is God how come He did not know the time of His own return?" Or, as you said in your list, "If Jesus is God why does He pray to God?"

The short answer for all of these types of questions can be found at Philippians 2:5-10 where Jesus Christ who "although" already having existed as God took the form of a servant/men. Since He became a man He functioned fully as a 100% contingent human being to His Father just as we are suppose to do the same. In short, Jesus Christ is are perfect example and this to is brought out in the context of Philippians 2 starting at vs1.

And btw, John 10:30, "I and the Father, we are one." This not only means one in purpose but the main thrust of Jesus' statement is one in nature/essence based on the context by what the Jews themselves said that He should be stoned. You don't stone or want to kill somebody by simply being one in purpose. In short, Jesus was accused of blasphemy for making Himself out God, John 10:33. PS: Remember your handle, "pro910, "And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." How do we get that understanding?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto