Isaiah 9:6: 

Liz Garcia asks: Hey there. I'm from an Apostolic denomination. I was reading your answer on the Trinity, and can sort of understand, but my question is, did Jesus himself claim to be God?

Hi Liz. Thanks for reading our content. To answer your question, the first thing we'd like to point out is that the Jews themselves, were wanting to stone Jesus for claiming to be God.

"I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, claim to be God.” (John 10:30-33)

Secondly, Jesus himself, made the claim of being God in the book of Revelation. As we can see in the prologue, Jesus gives John a revelation, in which Jesus tells the 7 churches in Asia that he is "the Alpha and Omega", and the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8). Even while some claim that these words must have been from the Father, in Revelation 22:20, John acknowledges the speaker, as he says "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." A claim that is in parallel to the very words of God the Father, as he calls Jesus God in Hebrews 1:8 ("But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom'".)

Thirdly, Jesus demonstrated that he possessed the same attributes of God. Jesus demonstrated omniscience as he told Peter, that he would deny him three times before the rooster crows in Matthew 26:34. Jesus demonstrated omnipotence resurrecting Lazarus, and himself from the dead (John 11:43, John 2:19). Jesus professed omnipresent by promising the disciples that he would be with them "to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20). Jesus, even went as far as telling a paralytic "friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20), an authority held by God alone.

Lastly, Jesus made the ultimate statement claiming to be God when He said, “Very truly I tell you, . . . before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). The Jews, upon hearing Him, clearly understood that He was claiming preexistence and, more than that, to be Yahweh, the great “I AM” of Exodus 3:14.

While there are many more statements not covered on here, remember that Jesus could have easily corrected Thomas, who called Jesus "my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). If this were not the case, we would not see Paul's eagerness as he awaited “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) as he encouraged us to do the same. Hope this helps.

Comments:

Liz Garcia: Ok thanks. In our church, they push the notion Jesus is the son of God, but not God Almighty. Your Trinity answer really helped me to know they were wrong, but I need these verses you provided on this answer. So thank you guys so much. It was hard for me to understand which view to accept, but just like you guys pointed out that Jesus did not correct Thomas, I saw the same in Jesus not correcting the disciples when they worshipped Jesus.

BRC Hosets Joey and Chris: Glad we were able to help. That is very true. What you say, can be found in Matthew 14:33 and Matthew 28:9.

James Ronn: I go the same kind of church, so I'm definitely glad I ran into this site.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks and be blessed James.

"And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"