Is Jesus God? Is Jesus our Eternal Father? Is Jesus almighty God? At first glance, those three questions might seem similar. They are not! We want to explain why they are important for each of us to consider scripturally. Please consider then as most important: Is our viewing Jesus as a God to us, necessarily the same as viewing him as Almighty God?
Whether Jesus is Almighty God is a point causing much disagreement among professed Christians. The reason for the disunity lies in our need to consider [and understand] several scriptures in order to arrive at an answer that is supported by the entire Bible. We live in a world which sadly functions on small thoughts [an ignorant world]. No one wants to take the time to understand all the facts before they render a decision. We all want someone to boil it down and give us a yes/no answer. We see the news quote a statement by some man or woman out of context, and then ignorant people [Satan's mob (1 John 5:19)] define that person by that one statement. That ignorant mob mentality is not a new problem: In ancient Lot's day, a whole city functioned as one mob to homosexually assault men [who were actually angels] who had come into their town. (Gen 19:4-11) Don't let yourself be ignorant in spiritual matters: Don't follow the doctrines of religion. All church doctrines are based on a subset of truth; or there would be no reason for the doctrine. The only doctrine of true Christians is the Bible and that is not a doctrine, it is truth. Being familiar with only a few of the scriptures dealing with Christ and his relationship to his Father can lead even a sincere person to believe in what is less than truth. Whether Jesus is God is not a question that normally even comes up in people just studying the Bible. Most Christians [persons trying to learn from and follow Christ] will arrive at a clear understanding of the relationship between Jesus and his Father naturally, as part of gaining familiarity with the Bible. When these questions do arise, they are usually raised by someone who has strong feelings about what they believe is the answer; along with a desire to bulldoze over other people so as to align them with their thinking. [Feeling I know the answer and wanting to enlighten you is true for me as well! We all want everyone to agree with our understanding of truth because, well, it is our hope. While I try hard not to express my opinion, but to simply share what Jesus taught, I am sure you will note "my faith" come through from time to time. Take any expression of my personal opinion with a grain of salt, but do heed my primary warning to listen to Christ for yourself-own-self.] All the disagreement and sometimes even fighting about the relationship between Jesus and God does make it seem important to address each of our opening questions; from the Bible. Be careful as you do so: Once any person [including you or I] develops faith in what is a misunderstanding, allowing ourselves to be misled because our thinking is based on only a small portion of the scriptures, [only enough scriptural knowledge to provide an incomplete or wrong understanding,] it can be hard to break free. (John 8:31-32) It is important that every single scripture in the Bible harmonizes with what you believe to be truth. Put another way: It is important that what you believe to be Bible truth is supported by the entire Bible. The solution to this problem is to avoid joining any of this world's religious sects. Religionists have each one built a dogmatic faith using only a few scriptures. [That's what created all this worlds divided religious sectarian groups (many of them asserting Christianity). (Mat 7:23) In speaking with a dear friend of my youth in the military, whom I hadn't talked to for 50 years, he shared with me he had started a church. The next thing he wanted to share was the doctrine they created that defines (and without realizing isolates) their group. When I explained I was trying to avoid doctrines, he severed ties. (John 15:17-24) There is only one God approved faith, and their only doctrine, shared by them all, is the Bible. (Mat 7:15; Acts 20:26-27 & 29-30) That faith is held in common by those individuals avoiding sectarian religion to follow Christ. It seems unlikely Christ's true followers would refer to themselves by any name other than the inspired Bible name of "Christian." (Acts 11:26) Jesus's followers would not likely pick some other name, as they would recognize that would be creating a celebrated name for themselves. (Gen 11:4) (As to building a faith built on only a few scriptures: A person could, for example, build strong faith in the law of "eye for eye and tooth for tooth." [Deu 19:21; Ex 21:23-24] Doing so would cause them to completely miss what the Bible is teaching through Christ [about loving-kindness and forgiveness or about the Law being a tutor leading us to Christ (Gal 3:23-25)]. [Mat 5:38-48])] It is only by running our mind over the words of God's son (as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) that we can be certain we have not been misled by sincere people who mean well but have a wrong understanding. (Luke 13:24-27) If someone says something you think is wrong, tell them what Christ said. If you don't know what Christ said, hush and go study. Never parrot what one of the religions of this world have taught you! If you don't know what Christ said from your personal knowledge of the Bible, you have nothing to say because you can't possibly know if you are right.
Asking whether Jesus is Almighty God evokes powerful feelings in many who claim Christianity. Most will be ready to point a judgmental finger at those who disagree with their viewpoint. Some even assert those who don't share their view are wicked and/or are unworthy of life. (1 Cor 4:5; Mat 7:1-5) They might be right! That begs we consider our own answer... As in all matters, let us remain students of God's word by striving to understand what the whole of the Bible teaches: Without preconceived ideas about what that answer may prove to be... (Gal 1:8; Rev 22:18-19; Rom 3:4) We all want simple direct answers, of course: We all wish we could ask our question and then get a "yes" or "no" answer. The questions we are considering, however, can not be answered with a knee-jerk yes or no? To understand requires some meditation and depth of Bible understanding. (Heb 5:14) As you examine the Bible for the answers, be cautious about being predisposed to believing one way or the other. Simply listen to the scriptures and let the Bible teach you! Remember, your understanding must be based on what "all the scriptures" (2 Tim 3:16-17) teach us about this [or any] subject. We must be careful not to build our faith on just a small part of the Bible's teachings. People who pick and choose which scriptures to put faint in can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. Whether we are persons who listen to what the Bible really teaches, or who pick and choose scriptures to support an existing faith, that is what determines if we truly are Christians [students of Christ's teachings] or just Religionists. (John 8:31-32 ; Mat 7:21-23 ; 2 Tim 4:3) That "is" the most important thing: Understanding the Bible means our very life! (John 17:3) Speaking with others about what Jesus was sent to teach means your life. (Mal 3:16-4:3)
As we look for the answer to these questions sequentially, then, what does the Bible say about our first question: Is Jesus God? Thomas conveyed, as recorded in John, that Jesus was his God: (John 20:26-29) 26 Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: "May you have peace." 27 Next he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing." 28 In answer Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him: "Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe."
Jesus didn't rebuke Thomas for calling him God, but commended his faith. The Bible refers to Jesus as God in other places as well: (Isa 9:6-7) 6 For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom in order to establish it firmly and to sustain it by means of justice and by means of righteousness, from now on and to time indefinite. The very zeal of יהוה of armies
(
is God's personal name) will do this.
Clearly then, the Bible does teach us Jesus is our God. We must be careful, however, not to use these few scriptures and rush to assume that also means Jesus is almighty God. Remember, the disciples worshipped Jesus as the son of God, not as God almighty. (Mat 14:28 of 28-33) Before we decide we have an answer, let us examine what else the Bible has to say!
What about our second question: Is Jesus our Eternal Father? That was also answered in Isaiah 9:6-7 considered above. The Bible's answer is yes, Jesus can be referred to as our Eternal Father. (1 Cor 15:20-22) It is scripturally appropriated to refer to him as our eternal father, and/or, as our God. We still don't want to stop with this limited knowledge, however, but need to consider what additional light the Bible sheds on the relationship between Jesus and his Father; about whether Jesus is "Almighty God!" Remember: It is "all scripture that is inspired by God and beneficial... for teaching and for setting things straight." (2 Tim 3:16-17) If the scriptures that follow seem at first glance contradictory, please persist to allow the Bible to present the full answer to the questions we started out asking. You will be rewarded to find there is no contradiction in the Bible.
What is the scriptural answer to our third question: Is Jesus almighty God? Jesus himself said at John 14:28: "You heard that I said to you, I am going away and I am coming [back] to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am."
Jesus there stated his Father is greater than he is, and he went on to say his Father had a will separate from that of his own: (Mat 26:39) "And going a little way forward, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will." Jesus wrestled to make certain his own will was in harmony with his Father's will.
Jesus also said his Father knew things he did not know: (Mat 24:36) "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father."
Jesus told his followers it was not up to him to decide who would sit at his right and left hand in his Kingdom. He said that decision was his Father's. (Mat 20:20-23;)
Jesus said he would make a defense before his Father of all those who talked with others about what Jesus taught them. (Mat 10:32-33Mal 3:16-4:3)
Jesus said it was the will of his Father that we should place faith in Jesus as God's son: (John 6:40) "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him at the last day." (John 6:28-29)
Perhaps most important for us to be aware of is that יהוה God himself stated very clearly who Jesus was: (Mat 3:17) Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." Again, Jesus's own Father said: (Mat 17:5) While he was yet speaking, look! a bright cloud overshadowed them, and, look! a voice out of the cloud, saying: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved; listen to him."
The scriptural answer to the third question, in the words of both Jesus and his Father, then, is no: Jesus is not almighty God. Jesus was sent forth by Almighty God, as he said in prayer: (John 17:6-8) 6 "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. 7 They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; 8 because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth." Just prior to that, Jesus said: (John 17:3) "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." Jesus taught clearly and plainly: We must come to know both he and his Father. Jesus's Father יהוה is his God, and
is our Almighty God! (John 20:17) 17 'Jesus said to her: "Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.'"' Jesus said to the Jews who were not putting faith in him as God's son: (John 8:54-55) 54 'Jesus answered: "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifies me, he who you say is your God; 55 and yet you have not known him. But I know him. And if I said I do not know him I should be like you, a liar. But I do know him and am observing his word."' Clearly, it is important for each of us to know both Jesus and his Father יהוה. (Pro 30:4)
Jesus stated over and over he was the son of God: Mark 14:61-62 ALT
(61) But He was keeping silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and says to Him, "Are You the Christ-the Son of the Blessed [One]?"
(62) So Jesus said, "I am. And you* will see 'the Son of Humanity sitting at the right hand of the Power' and 'coming with the clouds of heaven [or, the sky].'" [Psa 110:1; Dan 7:13,14] As John told us, Jesus came to explain who his Father is: (John 1:17-18) The [Law] Teachings were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ.
(18) No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, the one who is closest to the Father's heart, has made him known.
John the Baptist also stated Jesus was God's son as in John 1:29-34.
Some have trouble letting go of predetermined beliefs, and so make this all very confusing for themselves. They will make it confusing for you if you allow them. Some religions want to assert they understand some kind of equality between Jesus and Almighty God. They usually teach the relationship between Jesus and יהוה is some kind of "divine mystery" which you are not able to understand. They will then insist you must, even as they admit it is without understanding, express "your faith in their belief in that mystery" to gain salvation. The Bible is inspired by God for the very purpose of giving us knowledge of both Almighty God
and of his son. (John 17:3) From those words by Jesus, we understand God's son is not confused: He worships his Father the same as he taught us to do. (Mat 6:9-10; 1 Cor 11:3; Eph 1:17; Col 1:3; John 20:17) In further support of that idea: (John 4:34) 'Jesus said to them: "My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work."' Bible knowledge keeps us from being misled to believe Jesus is Almighty God. (Mark 12:24) If you associate with a group who expects you to put faith in assertions by them which are not clearly supported in the Bible, often doing so by using terminology for their doctrine which is not even found in the Bible, you are in danger: You could not possibly know which of their assertions to believe. (Acts 17:11) The testimony about their false God's put forth by men is endless. (Acts 17:22-23; Acts 19:35) The Bible is our protection against all such teachings. (Mark 12:24 ; Acts 17:11) A sobering question regarding this matter is: Could people who say Jesus is Almighty God be making a false God out of God's own son? Remember: The Jews believed in the Father יהוה but are lost as a nation because they reject his son Christ Jesus. (Mat 23:37-39 ; John 16:3) [Hearing the Jews pronounce it is the only way English speakers can know .] It is thus possible for us to make the opposite error from the Jews [in their rejecting Christ]: If we reject the Father by asserting his son Jesus is God Almighty! (Mat 11:27)
Further examination of the Bible will help us more clearly understand the above scriptures. The Bible explains how Jesus can be God to us, and can be our Eternal Father; without at the same time being our Almighty God.
had recorded in the Bible book of Exodus that he made Moses God to Pharaoh. Moses had a personal relationship with God, but wicked Pharaoh had no connection with God except through his exposure to Moses. Pharaoh had made the choice to worship false god's, so the true God would not [could not (Lev 5:2)] deal with him directly. God explained that Moses would say to Pharaoh what God told him to speak, and so Moses would act as God to Pharaoh. [(Ex 7:1-2) "Consequently יהוה said to Moses: 'See, I have made you God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your own brother will become your prophet. 2 You-you will speak all that I shall command you; and Aaron your brother will do the speaking to Pharaoh, and he must send the sons of Israel away from his land.] None of us imagine those scriptures to mean Pharaoh would believe Moses actually was almighty God. Pharaoh should have respected Moses as God's representative, and in that sense, Moses was God to Pharaoh. [The Bible explains Jesus would speak what his Father taught him, the same as Moses did with Pharaoh. Jesus is even referred to as "the prophet like Moses" or "the greater Moses." (Acts 3:22)]
There are a few scriptures some people will try to use out of harmony with those we have considered; trying to use them to assert Jesus and his Father are actually one being [and are equal]: (John 14:9) Jesus said to his followers: "Have I been with you men so long a time, and yet, Philip, you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father [also]". . . Then at John 10:30 Jesus said: "I and the Father are one."
Right after saying he and his Father were one, however, Jesus continued to pray to his Father that his followers would all become one, in the same way he is one with his Father: (John 17:11) "Also, I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are."
Jesus didn't imagine his followers would become one being, but would become one in their purpose of life. As to Jesus's statement that knowing him meant knowing his Father: People often say if you have seen the son of some man, you have seen the man as well. By this they mean the little boy is very similar to his father. So it is with Jesus. (John 5:19 ; John 4:34) In that same discourse Jesus said it meant his life [food] to be able to do his Father's will. (John 4:34 ; John 5:30) In that sense, then, if you have seen Jesus you have seen his Father. We can know the Father through knowing his son: (1 Cor 2:16) That because Jesus's chosen life purpose is to do his Father's will and to make it known. (Mat 11:25-27) Showing his concern for his Father's will, it is worth taking note of one of the last things Jesus did as his very life was draining away: (John 19:28-30) CEV (28) Jesus knew that he had now finished his work. And in order to make the Scriptures come true, he said, "I am thirsty!" [Psa 22:15]
(29) A jar of cheap wine was there. Someone then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus's mouth on the stem of a hyssop plant. [Psa 69:21]
(30) After Jesus drank the wine, he said, "Everything is done!" He bowed his head and died.
In the midst of all he was suffering, the last thing on Jesus's mind was seeing that his Father's prophecy from Psalm 69 was fulfilled. (Heb 10:5-7)
One scripture which rings perhaps most clearly on this matter, is the statement by Jesus in prayer to his Father during the last few moments of his life. In behalf of those putting him to a most horrible death, Jesus prayed to his Father: (Luke 23:34) "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Right down to the moment of his death, Jesus offered up prayers to his Father. And even after his resurrection, Jesus himself referred to his Father as his God. (John 20:17)
There is no contradiction in any of these scriptures; unless you try to make them fit something you already believe! Some make it confusing for themselves by trying to imagine [or to teach] Jesus was subject to his Father while he was a man, but then became equal with God when resurrected to heaven. I suffered that reasoning myself when I was young and ignorant. Again, however, the Bible leaves no room for error. In 1 Corinthians, the 15th chapter, we read: (1 Cor 15:20-28 CEV) But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life.
(21) Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ.
(22) Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us.
(23) But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to (eternal) life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns.
(24) Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father.
(25) Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power,
(26) and the last enemy he destroys will be death.
(27) When the Scriptures say that he will put everything under his power, they don't include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ.
(28) After everything is under the power of God's Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son's power. Then God will mean everything to everyone.
(Isa 11:9)
Note verse 27 of 1 Corinthians 15 says God subjected all things under the feet of his son Jesus. Then verse 28 says that does not include יהוה, as it is obvious the one doing the subjecting is not subject to his son. The Bible goes on to say that after all badness and even death is done away with, Jesus will subject himself to the Father, that יהוה may be all things to all people. Paradise will have been restored. (Isa 11:1-12) Understanding the relationship Jesus has with his Father is important!!! If you think Jesus is Almighty God, it would seem hard to appreciate what God did in saying his firstborn son would remain faithful under any test Satan could bring upon him. If Jesus was Almighty God, there would have been no test. Jesus, as יהוה's firstborn son, (Col 1:13-20) did make the choice to remain faithful! Protect yourself from being deceived by simply learning what your Bible actually teaches. (Mark 12:24)
Considering all these scriptures that comment on the relationship between Jesus and his Father, then, it is easy to understand: Jesus is our God just as Moses was God to Pharaoh. Jesus teaches us only what his Father taught him. (John 12:48-50) Jesus is our Eternal Father because he made the everlasting sacrifice of his life to buy back ours: To buy us out of the death brought on us by Adam. (1 Cor 15:21-22) Adam [and Eve and Satan] sold us into slavery to death before ever we were born [without our having any say in the matter]. (Rom 6:4-7) The son of God came to break up the works of God's enemy and save us from our fate of Adamic death. (1 John 3:8b) The Bible teaches Jesus is not however, God almighty. (Rev 4:9-5:7) Our Almighty God is Jesus's Father יהוה God. (John 14:28) With these few scriptures explained, we will find Jesus over and over and over extolled the glory of his Father. (John 8:54-55 ; John 20:17) Jesus said it meant our very life, our taking in knowledge of both of them; his Father, and the son whom the Father sent. (John 17:3)
There is danger here: If you are persuaded to believe Jesus and his Father are one being, or that both are part of some three headed God, it will undermine your ability to grasp something very important the Bible is teaching; by means of the relationship between יהוה and his son Jesus. An important principle that would be lost to such a belief is recognizing our Father's ability to render judgment. Satan was not created wicked. (Eze 28:14-15) He made himself wicked when he allowed desires he cultivated to change his heart into that of a liar. (John 8:42-44) A liar is what he chose to become. Satan slandered our Father by saying
's rulership is bad. (Gen 3:2-4) His disobedience brought suffering and death and... Because of what the previously perfect Satan chose to become, יהוה judged him wicked and pronounced death upon him. (Mat 25:41 ; Rev 20:14) The judgment against Satan will never change because Satan will never change. Our Father יהוה's ability to know that is what makes his judgment perfect. God first came to know who Satan made the choice to become, and only then to pronounce judgment accordingly. Being a good son, Jesus was judged just the opposite. Jesus was judged righteous by יהוה before he was tested as Christ. He was judged righteous before ever God selected him for that most important assignment: The assignment allowing Jesus to become a man and offer himself willingly so as to break up the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b; Heb 10:7) [devil meaning "resister of God"]. The miracle we are blessed to see in this is יהוה's perfect judgment ability. Our Father had come to know his prehuman son [who became Jesus (John 1:14; John 17:5; Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14; Luke 1:30-35; Col 1:15; 1 Cor 15:45-47)] so well, He could know Christ would never prove unfaithful. (Pro 8:22-31) So, יהוה judged and announced before his firstborn son was tested he would prove faithful. Having this knowledge about the relationship between God and his son helps us understand and have faith that God's judgment is perfect. When יהוה announced in the garden of Eden that he would raise up a seed to destroy Satan, (Gen 3:14-15) he was also prophesying that seed would prove faithful; even at any cost - even to death. Jesus had [and has] free will, meaning he could have chosen what ever he wanted. (Mat 26:39) A nonsensical question is: If Jesus had not proved faithful, would his failure have made God a liar? Thankfully, Jesus did prove faithful, thus illustrating יהוה's judgment is perfect. יהוה knows who Jesus is to his very core! When Jesus chose to allow himself to die a horrible death on a torture stake, his choice showed him to be righteous. His faithfulness also proved his Father's judgment of him was perfect. (Rom 5:6-11) It is very important to comprehend: In the yet future part of the "end times," when Jesus returns the kingdom and rulership to his Father, (1 Cor 15:24) that act will for all eternity prove God is a good and perfect ruler. Jesus would never return the kingdom to his Father if יהוה's rulership were lacking in any way. Thus, at the mouth of two witnesses, God's righteousness is established; forever. (John 8:17-18) Believing Jesus was Almighty God would keep a person from understanding any of those wonderful things! Jesus will surely accomplish the will of this Father by reestablishing the earth wide paradise his Father started when he created the Garden of Eden. (John 6:32-34; John 6:37-40) Peace will abound earth wide. (Rom 15:7-13) The earth will be full of people who recognize יהוה as almighty God, and Jesus as their eternal father and king. (Isa 11:1-12) Everyone alive will understand Jesus was made god to us by virtue of his mediating for us with his Father. (1 Tim 2:3-6) Jesus will always be our king, but once we are brought to perfection, we will likely not need a mediator; but will communicate with God directly even as perfect Adam did. (Gen 1:28 ; Gen 3:8-10 ; John 16:23) What ever part Jesus continues to play in our lives, יהוה will be our Almighty God forever. (1 Cor 15:24-28) And, Jesus will forever be his firstborn son, (Col 1:15) the faithful and true witness, (Rev 3:14) and our Lord and Savior. (Col 1:15; Pro 30:4)
May we be among those favored to understand the Bible well enough to know both the Almighty God יהוה, and, our reigning King Christ Jesus! (Pro 30:4) Peace (Luke 10:5-6) to you and yours, just as you seek faith based on Bible truth. We join with Paul in praying: "Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant YOU to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, that with one accord YOU may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Mal 3:16-4:3; Rom 15:5-6)
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Whether Jesus is Almighty God is a point causing much disagreement among professed Christians. The reason for the disunity lies in our need to consider [and understand] several scriptures in order to arrive at an answer that is supported by the entire Bible. We live in a world which sadly functions on small thoughts [an ignorant world]. No one wants to take the time to understand all the facts before they render a decision. We all want someone to boil it down and give us a yes/no answer. We see the news quote a statement by some man or woman out of context, and then ignorant people [Satan's mob (1 John 5:19)] define that person by that one statement. That ignorant mob mentality is not a new problem: In ancient Lot's day, a whole city functioned as one mob to homosexually assault men [who were actually angels] who had come into their town. (Gen 19:4-11) Don't let yourself be ignorant in spiritual matters: Don't follow the doctrines of religion. All church doctrines are based on a subset of truth; or there would be no reason for the doctrine. The only doctrine of true Christians is the Bible and that is not a doctrine, it is truth. Being familiar with only a few of the scriptures dealing with Christ and his relationship to his Father can lead even a sincere person to believe in what is less than truth. Whether Jesus is God is not a question that normally even comes up in people just studying the Bible. Most Christians [persons trying to learn from and follow Christ] will arrive at a clear understanding of the relationship between Jesus and his Father naturally, as part of gaining familiarity with the Bible. When these questions do arise, they are usually raised by someone who has strong feelings about what they believe is the answer; along with a desire to bulldoze over other people so as to align them with their thinking. [Feeling I know the answer and wanting to enlighten you is true for me as well! We all want everyone to agree with our understanding of truth because, well, it is our hope. While I try hard not to express my opinion, but to simply share what Jesus taught, I am sure you will note "my faith" come through from time to time. Take any expression of my personal opinion with a grain of salt, but do heed my primary warning to listen to Christ for yourself-own-self.] All the disagreement and sometimes even fighting about the relationship between Jesus and God does make it seem important to address each of our opening questions; from the Bible. Be careful as you do so: Once any person [including you or I] develops faith in what is a misunderstanding, allowing ourselves to be misled because our thinking is based on only a small portion of the scriptures, [only enough scriptural knowledge to provide an incomplete or wrong understanding,] it can be hard to break free. (John 8:31-32) It is important that every single scripture in the Bible harmonizes with what you believe to be truth. Put another way: It is important that what you believe to be Bible truth is supported by the entire Bible. The solution to this problem is to avoid joining any of this world's religious sects. Religionists have each one built a dogmatic faith using only a few scriptures. [That's what created all this worlds divided religious sectarian groups (many of them asserting Christianity). (Mat 7:23) In speaking with a dear friend of my youth in the military, whom I hadn't talked to for 50 years, he shared with me he had started a church. The next thing he wanted to share was the doctrine they created that defines (and without realizing isolates) their group. When I explained I was trying to avoid doctrines, he severed ties. (John 15:17-24) There is only one God approved faith, and their only doctrine, shared by them all, is the Bible. (Mat 7:15; Acts 20:26-27 & 29-30) That faith is held in common by those individuals avoiding sectarian religion to follow Christ. It seems unlikely Christ's true followers would refer to themselves by any name other than the inspired Bible name of "Christian." (Acts 11:26) Jesus's followers would not likely pick some other name, as they would recognize that would be creating a celebrated name for themselves. (Gen 11:4) (As to building a faith built on only a few scriptures: A person could, for example, build strong faith in the law of "eye for eye and tooth for tooth." [Deu 19:21; Ex 21:23-24] Doing so would cause them to completely miss what the Bible is teaching through Christ [about loving-kindness and forgiveness or about the Law being a tutor leading us to Christ (Gal 3:23-25)]. [Mat 5:38-48])] It is only by running our mind over the words of God's son (as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) that we can be certain we have not been misled by sincere people who mean well but have a wrong understanding. (Luke 13:24-27) If someone says something you think is wrong, tell them what Christ said. If you don't know what Christ said, hush and go study. Never parrot what one of the religions of this world have taught you! If you don't know what Christ said from your personal knowledge of the Bible, you have nothing to say because you can't possibly know if you are right.
Asking whether Jesus is Almighty God evokes powerful feelings in many who claim Christianity. Most will be ready to point a judgmental finger at those who disagree with their viewpoint. Some even assert those who don't share their view are wicked and/or are unworthy of life. (1 Cor 4:5; Mat 7:1-5) They might be right! That begs we consider our own answer... As in all matters, let us remain students of God's word by striving to understand what the whole of the Bible teaches: Without preconceived ideas about what that answer may prove to be... (Gal 1:8; Rev 22:18-19; Rom 3:4) We all want simple direct answers, of course: We all wish we could ask our question and then get a "yes" or "no" answer. The questions we are considering, however, can not be answered with a knee-jerk yes or no? To understand requires some meditation and depth of Bible understanding. (Heb 5:14) As you examine the Bible for the answers, be cautious about being predisposed to believing one way or the other. Simply listen to the scriptures and let the Bible teach you! Remember, your understanding must be based on what "all the scriptures" (2 Tim 3:16-17) teach us about this [or any] subject. We must be careful not to build our faith on just a small part of the Bible's teachings. People who pick and choose which scriptures to put faint in can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. Whether we are persons who listen to what the Bible really teaches, or who pick and choose scriptures to support an existing faith, that is what determines if we truly are Christians [students of Christ's teachings] or just Religionists. (John 8:31-32 ; Mat 7:21-23 ; 2 Tim 4:3) That "is" the most important thing: Understanding the Bible means our very life! (John 17:3) Speaking with others about what Jesus was sent to teach means your life. (Mal 3:16-4:3)
As we look for the answer to these questions sequentially, then, what does the Bible say about our first question: Is Jesus God? Thomas conveyed, as recorded in John, that Jesus was his God: (John 20:26-29) 26 Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: "May you have peace." 27 Next he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing." 28 In answer Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him: "Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe."