Did Jesus claim Himself to be God? (Earth, Messiah, disciples)

[Christy]

Brain X started an interesting thread on John 1:1 about whether or not Jesus is God. He wants to keep the discussion to John 1:1, so in deference to him, I am starting another thread that is wide open in terms of Bible references. I have a problem I hope you all can help me solve.

I teach Bible study to 6-8th graders as part of their Confirmation training so this subject is extremely important to me and my students. In an adult Sunday School class last Sunday, our new pastor made the comment that although we as Lutherans believe that Jesus IS God, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus Himself while here on earth did not claim to be God.

I rather verbally disagreed with him. I think that not only did Jesus claim to be God quietly sometimes, but He actually "SHOUTED it from the rooftops" to those who "had ears to hear." Now we as a class have an assignment. We are to find the Biblical passages where Jesus claims His divinity, His equal standing with God the Father.

I have ideas...but could you help me?

[Rex]

Try here http://www.tektonics.org/tekton_01_02_01_MISC.html

or even this:

John 5:17

Even Jesus' claim that God was His Father was a claim to deity. When Jesus said that His Father was at work in Him, He was not just expressing a sentimental attitude toward God. Once more His listeners sought to kill Him because He made Himself equal to God.

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_m...200168,00.html

[Christy]

Thank you so much, Rex! I have already downloaded the articles you suggested. I knew I came to the right place for answers!

[Lightkeeper]

I don't believe Jesus claimed to be God. He taught that the Divine was within him and us. John 5:17 can be read this way.

[keevelish]

lightkeeper, Christy wasn't asking for a debate, she was asking if anyone knew where she could find scripture in which Jesus claimed to be God.

[Ceridwen018]

I'll try to find the exact verses, but I seem to remember a certain bible story where Jesus asked his apostles "Who do you say that I am". Only Peter answered 'correctly' by saying "The Messiah". Jesus told his disciples to say nothing of this to anyone, and in turn made Peter the 'rock' of his church. In this story, Jesus isn't saying 'Hey guys, what's up? Oh, by the way, I'm god.' but he does seem to confirm it.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by keevelish

lightkeeper, Christy wasn't asking for a debate, she was asking if anyone knew where she could find scripture in which Jesus claimed to be God.

This is in the Debate Forum. I am moving it to Comparative Religion, since she doesn't want a debate.

[Scott1]

Christy,

You can find tons of great scriptural evidence here:

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/jes..._divinity.html

Peace,
Scott

[Rex]

Originally Posted by Ceridwen018

I'll try to find the exact verses, but I seem to remember a certain bible story where Jesus asked his apostles "Who do you say that I am". Only Peter answered 'correctly' by saying "The Messiah". Jesus told his disciples to say nothing of this to anyone, and in turn made Peter the 'rock' of his church. In this story, Jesus isn't saying 'Hey guys, what's up? Oh, by the way, I'm god.' but he does seem to confirm it.

It was not blasphemy to claim to be the Messiah, but it certainly was blasphemous to claim to be God.

Let's not mistake the 2

[Henry]

I always use John 8:50-58. (I go back quite a few verses so the scripture can't be taken out of context) In verse 58, Jesus used the same words that God did to describe Himself in Exodus 3;13-14. In John 8, Jesus said "before Abraham was I AM". And, I find it interesting that the Jews picked up stones. The only way to explain this is Jesus here claimed to be God. (blasphemy was punishable by stoning) Hope this helps>