John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

In the above verse, Jesus clearly tells us that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Sometimes, we think that even if Jesus was not there or God was not there, then too we would have done something without them. 

This is the notion many people have about themselves; that with Jesus we do much better things. But Jesus says that without Him, we can do nothing. That means whatever we do without him is a waste. 

For e.g. take the game where we hold a cup filled with water in the mouth and our hands are tied behind and we have to pour that water in an empty bottle. Many of us try to fill the bottle with water, but most of us drop the water outside the bottle instead of inside.

Maybe one person is able to pour the water in the bottle and become successful and he will get the first price. 

In the same way, we might run here and there – working hard, but if it is not done in Jesus Christ, through Jesus Christ, for Jesus Christ, then all our hard work is a waste.

There is a reason behind it. Jesus is God. If he is just a prophet, then we need not depend on him all the time. 

We can just listen to his words and continue believing in the Father and praying. But Jesus is not just a prophet. He is beyond any prophet. He is God himself. 

Today in this article, let us discuss about this topic through different points based on the scriptures.

For the past few years, some religious groups have unnecessary and unfortunate tendencies to degrade the identity of Jesus. They have given Jesus a normal human being or a prophet’s identity.

They do not want to believe that Jesus is God himself. Many people want to propagate that Jesus is only a prophet. This is the theory of some prominent religious groups.

Actually, this group came into existence five to six hundred years after Jesus came. It is difficult to understand as to how these people came to this conclusion after six to seven hundred years after Jesus’ coming.

There are some denominations, who also say that Jehovah is the only real God and Jesus is only a prophet. We need to know the answer for this from the Bible. 

Everyone accepts the Bible. All these so-called religions also accept the Bible. Still, they don’t believe that Jesus is God. The denominations who reject to accept Jesus as God, even they accept the Bible. 

What does the Bible say about the Divinity of Christ?

People who are influenced by their friends or modern religion come and ask Fr Joseph, “Why do you consider Jesus as God? Did Jesus claim anytime that He is God? Did Jesus ever say that I am God, worship me?”

Even Catholics ask this question. Did disciples know that Jesus is God? Did all the people who followed Jesus know that He is God? 

Many religions and groups try to convince people that in the Bible no where it is written that Jesus is God. They add that Jesus himself never claimed that He is God.

All these are wrong inputs. Some of our youth are influenced by these wrong inputs. Fr. gives us some of the important Bible passages which say that Jesus is God himself. Jesus himself claimed it and his disciples knew it and his disciples followed it. They worshipped him. 

There are so many theological connections about the Divinity of Jesus Christ; the theological meanings and revelation in the Bible. Some of the word of God directly points out to who Jesus is and his identity. 

If possible, write down these Bible verses which claim that Jesus is God and Jesus himself claimed it, his disciples knew it and worshipped Him. You will have these verses ready if anyone asks you the same question about Jesus.

Did Jesus say He is God? Did Jesus claim that He is God or the Messiah or that He is the savior who was sent by the Heavenly Father to save humanity?

When we speak about the Divinity of Jesus, the most important thing we need to know that when people say Jesus never claimed that, He is God or He never said that, He is God. 

The most important point is why did the Jewish kill Jesus? What was the most important accusation that was there against Jesus? Is it because Jesus did not have a proper job? Or is it because He was violating Sabbath? Or is it because of something else? What was the main reason that they killed Jesus?

John 10:30 – ³⁰The Father and I are one.

This was a shocking claim for the Jewish people, because they also believed in Yahweh, the Father of Jesus, the Heavenly Father. 

Jesus called Yahweh his Father. He made the biggest claim and it was the worst claim for the Jewish people. For them it was the biggest blasphemy when Jesus said, “My Father, that is Yahweh, and I are one”.

Is anything clearer than this? This revelation was shocking for them. From that moment they wanted to kill Jesus. They thought Jesus is blaspheming.

This was shocking for the Jewish people and they decided to eliminate Jesus from this World. 

John 19:7 – The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God. 

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Here the Gospel says, “He gave his only Son”, which means He is God himself. We all are children of God. By Baptism we are adopted by God. But Jesus is the real Son of God. That is why, Jesus claimed, He is the only Son of God the Father. 

Jesus also claimed, He is the beginning and the end. Jesus existed before the creation of this Universe. He has not just come 2000 years ago. Jesus was existing with the Father and with the Holy Spirit before creation.

Revelation 1:17 – When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.”

St. John wrote that when he saw Jesus in a vision, he fell at his feet as though he was dead but Jesus placed his right hand on him and said “do not be afraid, I am the first and the last”.

Revelation 22:13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Only God can say, “I am the beginning and the end. I am the first and the last. I am the Alpha and the Omega.” But Jesus said this.

Isaiah 44:6 – Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me.

This was the prophesy about the future Messiah.

In the Old Testament, Yahweh claimed this but in the New Testament, Jesus said the same thing, “I am the first and the last. Besides me there is no other God”. 

We Christians believe in one God but 3 persons and these three are one. It is very clear because, Jesus said My Father and I are one. Many people may not understand what Jesus said but we believe. Others may believe it or not.

Isaiah 9:6 – For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named ‘Wonderful Counsellor’, ‘Mighty God’, ‘Everlasting Father’, ‘Prince of Peace’.

When Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, the Messiah who is going to be born, he said that He is the Mighty God. 

According to the Jewish people, the Messiah is not just a prophet, but a mighty God.  So, if Jesus is the Messiah, then he is the ‘Mighty God’, the ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ the ‘Everlasting Father’ and the ‘Prince of Peace’. This is very important. 

Do not be deceived by the wrong information given by the wrong people, without knowing the Bible. The Bible says very clearly that, Jesus is the Mighty God. The baby who was born to a virgin is the Mighty God.

John 8:58-59 – ⁵⁸Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM.” ⁵⁹So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Jesus always used the word I am. Even in the Old Testament when Moses asked, what is the name of the Abba Father? Father answered him “I am who I am”. 

In the New Testament in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the beginning and the end. I am the light and the way”.

If Jesus is just a prophet, how come he speaks about himself? Who is a prophet? A prophet is someone who is sent by God to speak on behalf of God and to lead everyone to God, not himself.

For e.g. Moses was a very powerful prophet. The most powerful prophets in the Old Testament are Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah. They never told the people, “I say to you”. 

They always said, “Thus says the Lord”. Moses said, “Thus says the Lord”. Aaron said, “Thus says the Lord”. Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Elijah everyone said, “Thus says the Lord”.

But Jesus always said, “I say to you” what does that mean? From the beginning in the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets, through judges, through kings and all the others. But now in the last days, God spoke through his own Son. God revealed himself.

Hebrews 1:1 – Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets.

In the Old Testament, God spoke to his people through various ways; such as through the prophets, judges and others.

Hebrews 1:2 – but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

Did any prophet say that God created the whole world through them? Did Elijah say, “God created the whole world through me”? Did Abraham, Moses or any other prophet say that God created the world through them? No – because they are only prophets.

What about Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God himself. He is equal to God the Father. He and the Father are one. They are same. 

Philippians 2:5-7 ⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus: ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form.

The early Christians, St. Paul and the Apostles, they all believed that Jesus is God himself. They knew Jesus is God. They said, “Jesus is God and does not consider equality to be exploited. But He humbled himself and He emptied himself.” 

He took the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. But He is God himself. It is very clear. Do not be misled or misguided by the wrong people who are giving us wrong information.

That is why Bible says, “Jesus said apart from me you can do nothing”. We may be working very hard or doing a lot of charities, believing in many religious things. But without Jesus we cannot do anything. All our hard work will be useless.

John 8:59 – ⁵⁹So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

The Jewish could not believe this statement made by Jesus. So, they picked up stones to throw at him. Because He said, “He was there before Abraham, before Adam and before everyone.

Next question asked by people. Did Jesus say to worship him? Did Jesus say, “you have to worship me”? 

Many people misguide others, saying that ‘Jesus is just a prophet like Moses. So, we are not supposed to worship Jesus. We are supposed to worship only one God.’ Do not listen to these wrong things.

John 5:22 – The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son.’ This verse says that the Father judges no one, but the judgement is given to the Son.

John 5:23 – so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.’

It means as we honour the Father, so we should honour the Son. Jesus said this very clearly. ‘Anyone who does not honour the Son, does not honour the Father. So if you do not worship Jesus, you do not worship the Father.

Jesus says, “When you see me, you see the Father. When you honour me, you are honouring the Father; because the Father and I are one”.

There is certain propaganda released among the people, saying that Jesus never claimed that he is God; Bible never claimed that Jesus is God.

These are all wrong teachings. They misguide the people. It is because many Christians do not know the Bible.

If anyone does not worship Jesus, they cannot claim to be worshipping Yahweh. They cannot be worshipping Jehovah if they do not worship Jesus Christ.

According to the teachings of God (the word of God), whatever religious group you may belong to, if you are not worshipping Jesus, you are not worshipping the God Almighty – the one true God.

Did Jesus clearly say that he is the Messiah without any confusion? Some people say “No”. But Jesus did say this.

Mark 14:61 – But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

It is a clear sign that the High Priest himself knew that the Messiah is also called the Son of the Most High God; the Blessed One. No wonder Jesus called himself the Son of God. Even the Jewish people know that Yahweh has a Son.

Mark 14:62 – Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

In this verse Jesus says, “I AM”. Jesus is the Messiah; Jesus is the Son of the Blessed One; Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Almighty God who created the entire world.

Until and unless you believe in Jesus and accept Him as God – the Lord and Saviour, you will not be saved. Jesus said “I AM and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”.

Jesus said it and He also said about his second coming. “The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven”. He spoke about the past, the present and the future.

When normal people asked him this, he never answered. But when the High Priest – the authority of the Jewish people, asked him, he said “Yes. I AM” without any confusion; without any doubt.

Jesus categorically mentioned who he is. That is the reason they killed him. Not because of any small reason or teachings. Jesus was killed only because he claimed that he is God.

Though they killed him, Jesus proved that he is God by coming out of the tomb. He resurrected. He defeated death and said, “I am the resurrection; I am the life”. All his enemies kept quiet. They had nothing to say.

Our Bible is there from the past 2000 years. Has any Rabbi ever refuted or written anything against what is written in the New Testament? It is because they have nothing to say.

Jesus has clearly said “I am the Messiah; the Son of God. Unless you worship me, you cannot worship the Heavenly Father. When you worship me, you are worshipping the Heavenly Father”.

Did the disciples know about this? Did they understand what Jesus said? Did they worship Jesus when he was alive? They called Jesus Rabbi, but did they worship him then? 

Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:17 – Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Jesus agrees to it and says “Yes, whatever you said is right.

John 20:28 – Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God”.

Here St Thomas says, “My Lord and my God”. He did not say, “My Rabbi”. The disciples knew that Jesus is God himself, not just a prophet and they worshipped him. 

Is it mentioned anywhere in the Bible that the disciples worshipped Jesus?

Matthew 14:32–33, When they got into the boat, the wind ceased and those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When Jesus got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were there in the boat worshipped him. All the 12 disciples worshipped him. Even before the death of Jesus.

When Jesus was alive, he never told them not to worship him and to worship only the Heavenly Father. Jesus accepted the worship, because he knew who he was. That is the truth. It is the reality. 

All those who say that they accept the Bible and do not accept Jesus is God himself, are lying. They are cheating. They are going against their own teachings. This is very important for all of us.

Titus 2:13 – while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

St. Paul says our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ!  

Colossians 1:15-16 ¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through him and for him. 

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. All things have been created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:17 – He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

That is why Jesus said you are my body. The whole world is the temple of Jesus Christ. He is the one who is holding us together. The whole universe is held together in HIM. That is why Jesus said you can do nothing without me. 

Colossians 1:18-19 ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

“All the fullness of God” means all the fullness of divinity dwells in Jesus Christ. He is 100% God.

Without Jesus; without praying through Jesus Christ, all our Christian life is a waste. All the charitable things we do, if we do it without Jesus, it is only an exercise. 

If you are doing it through your mouth or body it is exercising your mouth or body. It will not bring any merit to you.

Whatever we do, we should do it through Jesus – holding on to Jesus, calling out his name. Do it in and through and for Jesus. Only then everything will become powerful.

Acts 4:12 – There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.

Salvation is only through Jesus. Nothing else in this world can give us salvation. Nobody can save us only Jesus Christ can give us salvation. Whether we understand it or not, we must just believe in this. We will be saved.

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Mathew 28:9 – Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

Mathew 28:17 – When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Even in those days there were people who doubted. But all the disciples worshipped Him. 

Luke 24:52 – And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy 

In so many Bible verses it is written that they worshipped Jesus. Therefore Jesus is not just a prophet, he is our God. Though he is in human form, He has 100% divinity in him.

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

If Jesus was a prophet, he would have said all who are carrying heavy burdens, go to God. Instead he said, “Come to me”.

John 14:13 – I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Jesus said “I will do whatever you ask for in my name”. He speaks about the future. It is for all of us. It is written in the Bible.

If we ask for anything in Jesus’ name, Jesus will do it. How could he do it, if he was a prophet?

Can Moses do anything for us? Yes, he can do through intercession. Jesus said, “all those who ask in my name, I will do whatever you ask for, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

There are so many such Word of God, there is a long list of verses in the Bible and will need another article.

Believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. Accept him as your personal God; the mighty God. We have only one God. We have no other God. Accept Jesus Christ.

When you see Jesus, you see the Father in Heaven. When you worship Jesus, you worship the Heavenly Father, because the Father and Jesus are one. It is the truth and that is what the Bible teaches us.

This is what we believe and profess. Reject and renounce anything contrary to this. Because it comes from the Evil Spirit.

Transcribed by Greta Furtado