In the Bible, did Jesus claim to be God?

[GentleDove]

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote this about Jesus (emphasis mine):

• "I am trying to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I am ready to accept Jesus as the great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a boiled egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

Some debaters on the site have written that Jesus did not claim to be God and/or Biblical authors did not claim that Jesus was God.

Yet, it is an orthodox Christian doctrine, claimed to be Biblically-based, that Jesus was man and God in one person.

Questions for debate:

In the Bible, did Jesus claim to be God?
Did the Biblical authors claim that Jesus was God?

[Student]

You say there is only one God
but you say Jesus is not the Father
but Jesus is God?
Isn't the Father God as well?
So how many Gods are there?

I am simply repeating the opinion of the catholic and apostolic Christian church. According to the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are God. Three persons, one essence, one God.

You bring up logic?

One God is not the other God but there is only one God?

Does that make sense?

When did theology have to make sense?

No matter what you or I think, the doctrine of the Trinity is at the centre of catholic and apostolic Christian belief.

One God, three persons, sharing one essence.

I agree, it defies logic, but, by definition, if you deny the Trinity you cannot be a member of the catholic and apostolic Christian church. [their rules, not mine!]

[McCulloch]

I am simply repeating the opinion of the catholic and apostolic Christian church. According to the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are God. Three persons, one essence, one God.

Fine. Can someone explain what that means?

[Student]

I am simply repeating the opinion of the catholic and apostolic Christian church. According to the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are God. Three persons, one essence, one God.

Fine. Can someone explain what that means?

According to the catholic and apostolic Christian church it is a mystery - so I guess it defies explanation.

[Cathar1950]

I am simply repeating the opinion of the catholic and apostolic Christian church. According to the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are God. Three persons, one essence, one God.

Fine. Can someone explain what that means?

According to the catholic and apostolic Christian church it is a mystery - so I guess it defies explanation.

It looks to me like they were trying to maintain two opposing positions that left them with Jesus was fully divine (against the adoptionists and Jewish positions) and fully human (against the Dociests) and made from the same god stuff as the Father while refusing to place Jesus in any position that would seem beneath or subservient to the Father or God. Of course it doesn't make any sense, the obvious meaning of mystery, but once it is doctrine it no longer needs to make sense.

[InTheFlesh]

Student,

Nowhere in the bible
will you read
that the Father and the Son
are different "persons".
Actually, quite the contrary.
The 3 being 1 means ONE person not 3.

In the beginning God.....
So how many people were in the beginning?
I'll give you a hint, ONE.
Jesus claimed to be both the Father and the Holy Spirit.

I don't think you understand
that Jesus is both
son of man and Son of God.

[myth-one.com]

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

The 3 being 1 means ONE person not 3.

So we (Christians), being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

So there is also only one Christian in the world?

According to the catholic and apostolic Christian church it is a mystery - so I guess it defies explanation.

The phrase "and these three are one" probably indicates all three beings are one in agreement and purpose. Remember that the archangel Satan and other angels rebelled against God. The Son of God and the Holy Spirit never questioned God the Father's authority. Therefore, all three are in agreement as one being as to their plans and goals. Exactly as when Christians are referred to in Romans 12:5 as "being many, are one body in Christ." I hope it goes without question that this means they are in one in agreement as to believing in Christ -- not one physical body.

Nowhere in the bible
will you read
that the Father and the Son
are different "persons".

Jesus Christ is also addressed as the Son of God, the Word, the Savior, the Lamb of God, Teacher, and other names. The Holy Ghost is also called the Holy Spirit and Comforter. God is generally spoken of as God, God the Father, or simply Father. That is, all three are referred to as individual beings. That is, they are different persons. Many times, more that one of these three beings are referred to in one verse. For example:

On many occasions, Jesus is described as praying to His Father.

Also, Jesus said He had to return to Heaven before the Holy Ghost could come to earth.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

[InTheFlesh]

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Jesus is the truth.

So God who is a Spirit is a different being than God the Holy Spirit?

[InTheFlesh]

Jesus Christ is also addressed as the Son of God, the Word, the Savior, the Lamb of God, Teacher, and other names. The Holy Ghost is also called the Holy Spirit and Comforter. God is generally spoken of as God, God the Father, or simply Father. That is, all three are referred to as individual beings. That is, they are different persons. Many times, more that one of these three beings are referred to in one verse. For example:

So why is Jesus referred to as Everlasting Father?

[InTheFlesh]

1 John 5:7 wrote:
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Romans 12:5 wrote:
So we (Christians),being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

So there is also only one Christian in the world?

I don't know how many Chrisitians there are in the world
but if you understood the context
you would know that we make up one body in Christ
because of the Spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit).
We are his body.

I think Christians being many
to God is ONE
is a poor analogy for the trinity.

[Cathar1950]

Jesus Christ is also addressed as the Son of God, the Word, the Savior, the Lamb of God, Teacher, and other names. The Holy Ghost is also called the Holy Spirit and Comforter. God is generally spoken of as God, God the Father, or simply Father. That is, all three are referred to as individual beings. That is, they are different persons. Many times, more that one of these three beings are referred to in one verse. For example:

So why is Jesus referred to as Everlasting Father?

He isn't!
Can you show us anywhere Jesus is called Everlasting Father?