Identity

Why We Believe Jesus is Son of God

December 31, 2023

Especially around the end of each year, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we need more than ever to be sure about who He is. Was Jesus just a wise man who made the news headlines over two thousand years ago for speaking out against the rulers of the day? Was He a prophet with a direct line to God? Or was He indeed the Christ, our Savior, the Messiah?

Jesus knew it was vital His followers had no doubt about His identity. He asks them directly:

But who do you say that I am? Peter replies: “You are the Messiah.” (Luke 9:20)

We need to be as unequivocally certain as Peter was.

Why does it matter what we believe?

Believing Jesus is the Son of God, a member of the Holy Trinity, validates many of the key principles of our faith. We can be certain Jesus is God’s solution for this fallen world; that He is the only Way to salvation; that His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection brings us into good standing with God and eternal life.

In this article, we share Scripture that firmly establishes Jesus as the Son of God, and God Himself. As believers, we find truth and confirmation in the pages of the Bible, the authoritative Word of God.

For those who have a tough time believing the Bible, there are countless historical facts and testimonies that have stood the test of time, collaborating these truths. If you, or someone you love grapple with this, do not be afraid to explore some of these trusted resources that bring one to the very same truth. Sometimes the Holy Spirit uses science or history to lead people to God!

Proof Jesus is the Son of God found in the Bible

The Father publicly proclaimed Jesus as His Son

Not once, but twice God audibly spoke to people in a very public setting, claiming Jesus as his son, first at Jesus’ baptism with John the Baptist, and again on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured.

…the heavens opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, who I love. I am very pleased with him.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

…suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, who I love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:1-8)

Jesus identifies Himself as God

In John 8:25, the Jews ask Jesus, “Who are you?” In His response, He uses language they would understand, words that connect his identity with how God has always identified Himself to them:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

Others agree!

People who encountered Jesus, including the prophets of the Old Testament, His disciples and especially the authors of the books of the Bible, made claims in terms of his divinity by (1) applying divine names to Him, (2) ascribing divine attributes to Him, and (3) telling of the myriad of divine works He performed.

His divine names

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed the Lord’s deity and oneness with the Trinity in Isaiah 9:6:

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Councilor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In Romans 9:5, the apostle Paul says of Jesus:

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

And finally,

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15)

His divine attributes

Eternal

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2; also Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, 22:13)

Omnipotent

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority/power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18; also Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 3:21, Revelation 1:8)

Omniscient

And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them… (Matthew 12:25)

But he knew what they were thinking, and he said to the man… (Luke 6:8; also John 2:24-25, 21:17, Revelation 2:23)

Sharing the same attributes as the Father

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:9)

Immutable (unable to change, forever the same)

He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; …but you remain the same, and your years will never end.” (Hebrews 1:10-12)

His divine works

The New Testament brims with stories of the wonderous miracles Jesus performed, instances where He changed lives dramatically and, most often, publicly with many witnesses in tow to spread the Good News. While sceptics try to discredit His acts as if it were mere trickery, there are works that leave no doubt as to the divine power of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ own words:

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. (John 10:37-38)

Let us explore a few of his specific powers or responsibilities … and stand in awe:

Jesus forgives the sins of man and gives eternal life

When Jesus told the paralyzed man in Mark 2:5-12, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” the teachers of the law was upset and asked, “Who can forgive sins but God along?” They had a point; but they did not grasp that the Man before them was indeed God. Jesus knew what they were thinking (His omniscience in play) and answered (v10):

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Also Matthew 9:2-7, Colossians 3:13)

Jesus receives and answers prayers

No ambiguity here! Jesus invites his followers to ask (pray) and assures them that their prayers will be answered–by Him!

You may ask me anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:14)

Christ created, upholds, and preserves all things

All things!

For in Him all things were created…. All things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)

Spend a bit of time here. What does it mean to you, personally, when you read that He holds all things together?

Jesus’ role in the resurrection

We have read about his immutability, the fact that He is Lord yesterday, today and will be tomorrow. He is also part of the final scenes of the world as we know it:

…who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead… (2 Timothy 4:1)

Having read that, what else can we do but pray: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, we bow in awe and thankfulness. You are mighty and worthy and we praise you as the forever true Almighty God and King of our lives. Amen.”

REFERENCES

https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/10-biblical-reasons-jesus-is-god/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/proofs-that-jesus-is-the-son-of-god.html

https://followtheteachingsofjesus.com/articles/jesus/111-god-acknowledged-jesus-as-his-son.html

https://insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/how-do-we-know-that-jesus-is-god

https://www.middletownbiblechurch.org