Did Jesus ever claim to be God?
The argument that Jesus never claimed to be God is bogus. If Jesus never claimed to be God, then why was he tried on charges of blasphemy?
The best known verse in the Bible is John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This passage tells us that God gave His only Son. This indicates that God only had one Son and that he had been given. What makes this statement so important is that God didn’t say He would give His Son, but that the Son had already been given. The second issue with this passage is Jesus was speaking. If he wasn’t the Son of God, why didn’t he tell the disciples who the Son of God was?
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Jesus continues in the next two verses to tell the people that if they did not believe in the name of the Son of God they would perish. If Jesus was not referencing himself in these passages, and eternity was riding on this name, surely someone would have demanded that name be revealed. In Acts 4:12, Luke says that there is only one name that a person is saved by, and that is Jesus. During the life of Jesus he had to have claimed He was God, or these passages are without meaning if you assumed that they didn’t know that his name was in fact Jesus Christ.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:12-13
Jesus wanted his disciples to be clear on who he was. He point blank asked His disciples this question, “Who do men say that I am?” The answer was not revealed by worldly wisdom, but from heavenly intervention.
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat. 16:13-17
With this much evidence one has to ask how did this “Jesus never claimed to be God” get started?
When Jesus refers to himself in the scripture he does it by his human title Son of Man. So those who try to attack the deity of Christ claim these references as declarations of his humanity and a denial of his deity. Jesus never denied His deity by recognizing his humanity.
Just for the sake of argument let us suppose that Jesus Himself never claimed to be the Son of God. There are others in the Bible who did.
1. The prophets knew He would be God
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. Mat. 1:22-23
2. The disciples acknowledged it
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Mat. 14:32-33
If Jesus was not God why didn’t he rebuke them for worshipping Him?
3. God revealed it to Peter.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat. 16:16-17
4. The guards knew He was the Son of God.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Mat. 27:54
5. The devils knew He was the Son of God.
….there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mat. 8:28-29
Only God can torment devils.
6. God proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat. 3:16-17
Jesus proved he was God when He forgave sin. If only God could forgive sin, Jesus must be God.
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. Mat. 9:2-3
It is important to note that it was the religious leaders of Jesus’ day that claimed he blasphemed. The religious leaders understood that only God could forgive sin. Let me illustrate this in a way you can understand. If I hit you, I cannot ask forgiveness from your friend. Only you can forgive me because I transgressed against you. When Jesus said He forgave this man’s sins he claimed that the sick man had transgressed against him personally.
It has always been Satan’s desire to discredit Jesus as the Son of God. Satan’s purpose is clear; if there is only one name given among men whereby someone could be saved he has to corrupt mankind’s view of the name of Jesus.
