1. WAS JESUS GOD?

One of the most important questions ever asked is recorded in Matthew 22:42:

"What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?"

Was Jesus merely a man, or was He truly God?

The Gospel of John presents overwhelming evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the divine Son of God. John openly declares the purpose of his Gospel:

"These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." — John 20:31


1. Did Christ Exist Before Coming Into This World?

John begins his Gospel by revealing that Christ existed from eternity with the Father.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made by him." — John 1:1–3

The Word who created all things later became flesh.

Read John 1:14.

Jeremiah also identified the Messiah as:

"THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." — Jeremiah 23:5–6

The Hebrew name Yahweh (Jehovah), meaning "The Self-Existent One," is applied to the Messiah, demonstrating both His deity and eternal existence.


2. Was Jesus Divine or Only Human?

How does God the Father refer to His Son?

"Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." — Hebrews 1:8–9

The Father Himself addresses the Son as God.


3. What Did Jesus Say About His Existence Before His Human Birth?

"Father, glorify thou me... with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." — John 17:5

Note

Additional evidence of Christ's eternal existence includes:

Jesus' declaration, "Before Abraham was, I AM," identifies Him with the eternal, self-existent God.


4. Through What Power Was Jesus Conceived?

"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." — Luke 1:35

Note

The incarnation involved all three members of the Godhead:

Christ became fully human without surrendering His divine nature.

See also:


5. Why Did Christ Become Man?

"That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest... to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." — Hebrews 2:17


6. How Did the Father Publicly Identify Jesus?

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." — Matthew 3:17


7. What Evidence Demonstrates That Jesus Is God?

Christ possessed divine attributes and authority:

a. He knew the thoughts of men. (John 2:24–25)

b. He foretold future events. (John 13:19)

c. He exercised creative power. (John 6:1–20)

d. He gave life. (John 5:21, 25)

e. He spoke with perfect authority and truth. (John 8:46)

f. He forgave sins. (Mark 2:1–12)

g. He accepted worship. (Matthew 14:33; John 20:28–29; Hebrews 1:6)

h. He raised the dead. (John 5:25)

i. He transformed human hearts. (John 1:12–13)

Note

Only One who is truly God could truthfully declare:


8. How Could Christ Be Both David's Son and David's Lord?

Jesus referred the Pharisees to Psalm 110:1.

Although the Messiah would be born as David's descendant, David also called Him Lord, proving that Christ existed before David.

Read Matthew 22:41–46.


Conclusion

Matthew records that Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18, 22–25).

Paul declares:

"When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son... to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." — Galatians 4:4–5

Christ is described as:

Paul further declares:

"In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." — Colossians 2:9

Even the Roman centurion confessed:

"Truly this man was the Son of God." — Mark 15:39

Jesus Christ is indeed the eternal Son of God, declared with power through His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).