Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God?

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God? I am not a Christian but read the bible and can't seem to see where Christians believe that Jesus is God. My co-workers point to John 1:1, but how do they explain these verses?

John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Christ cannot be the true God since Jesus Himself stated that His Father is the only True God. How does one challenge this?

1 Corinthians 8:5,6 - For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Here again they say that to "us" the apostles and Christians there is one God who is the "Father", thus it would exclude Jesus from being the One God, how does one challenge this? Notice how it also says that there are many lords just as there are many kings, but then says that there is ONE LORD and ONE GOD who is the Father, not Christ. How do you Christians explain this?

I'm not sure why, either. Through my studies of the Bible, I have come to think that the trinity is just a hoax.

Whats a trinity? is that like the hindu trinity in any way?

Genna said:

Whats a trinity? is that like the hindu trinity in any way?

Click to expand...

It's the idea that the Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost are all the same being.

That sounds kinda creepy! I know that Jesus refers to his father as His God. But I agree, that doesn't seem logical that three persons can be one being.

I think Christians believe that Jesus is God because he was "God like" with supernatural abilities, he was able to walk on water, heal the sick, although he was in human form..he performed many miracles. It is a confusing concept, but I believe that Jesus was sent here from God to prove a point, to prove that he did possess these qualities so that way the people of that time wouldn't deny God's existance. However, there are many biblical versus denoting Jesus's call out to God and praying to him. So that's what confused me, but I think Christians view Jesus as God because he was without sin and had miraculous abilities.

Genna said:

That sounds kinda creepy! I know that Jesus refers to his father as His God. But I agree, that doesn't seem logical that three persons can be one being.

Click to expand...

Firstly, why should God be logical? Secondly, I'm afraid that it's very difficult to understand the concept of the Trinity without a grounding in the meaning of the concepts of ousia and hypostasis as expressed in Greek. The translations into English as essence and person (the latter is particularly bad) seem to cause many misunderstandings. Christians believe that Christ is God because that is what was revealed to us and what was taught by the early Church and Fathers. Insisting on being able to prove it from Scripture is rather missing the point as sola scriptura is a recent phenomenon and was not adhered to by either the early Church or the majority of contemporary Christians. The Bible was written and collected by the Church, the Church is not based upon it. It could (and did fopr several centuries) exist without the Bible.

James

Jesus derives his divinity from his ressurection and his return to heaven at the right hand of God, thereby proving his connection with the Almighty and strengthening the symbolism of an earthly death and spiritual life. This is the view of the Catholic church and is the root of all Christian-claimed authority on earth. Take away Christs' ressurection and you take away all of his God-like attributes leaving him with a little more than the legacy of a holy man. Can we prove that he rose from the dead? No. If you are not a Christian the divinity of Jesus will mean no more to you than the divinity of Santa Claus unless you let the spirit of what Christians are saying into your heart and accept their concept of the holy spirit. That is the catch. You can not rationalise Jesus' divinity from an outside perspective of Christianity. Only Christians will be convinced through any evidence you give as it is all relative to the beliefs in your heart. The Bible is a Christian scripture so any evidence it gives will be soley for the utilization of Christians and is of no use to those needing a rational explaination of Christs divinity.

tlcmel said:

I think Christians believe that Jesus is God because he was "God like" with supernatural abilities, he was able to walk on water, heal the sick, although he was in human form..he performed many miracles.

Click to expand...

But Christ said that later people who would come who would do these works and greater. Are there more Gods out there? More Christs?

PetShopBoy88 said:

But Christ said that later people who would come who would do these works and greater. Are there more Gods out there? More Christs?

Click to expand...

I personaly don't know what Jesus is talking about when he said that.....but I don't think he meant to imply that there are more Gods.

JoeCole said:

I personaly don't know what Jesus is talking about when he said that.....but I don't think he meant to imply that there are more Gods.

Click to expand...

And how do you know this? Is there a scripture that will defintley show that?

Genna said:

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God? I am not a Christian but read the bible and can't seem to see where Christians believe that Jesus is God. My co-workers point to John 1:1, but how do they explain these verses?

John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Christ cannot be the true God since Jesus Himself stated that His Father is the only True God. How does one challenge this?

Click to expand...

You're on the ball, Genna. Jesus Christ is not the same individual as His Father. But again, not all Christians believe that He is.

1 Corinthians 8:5,6 - For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Here again they say that to "us" the apostles and Christians there is one God who is the "Father", thus it would exclude Jesus from being the One God, how does one challenge this? Notice how it also says that there are many lords just as there are many kings, but then says that there is ONE LORD and ONE GOD who is the Father, not Christ. How do you Christians explain this?

Click to expand...

Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He is the Son of God, but He is not simply a different manifestation of God the Father. He is "one" in will, purpose, power and glory with His Father, but is physically distinct from God the Father. As a matter of fact, in John 20:17, Jesus spoke to Mary and said, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Remember, not all Christians are trinitarians.

<i>Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God?</i>
Cuz we've met Him

<i>the bible and can't seem to see where Christians believe that Jesus is God. My co-workers point to John 1:1,</i>
R u saying u don't <i>see</i> John 1:1? Is that cuz that's blotted out in your copy?

<i>how do they explain these verses? John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.</i>
The only true God not only is Jesus Christ. He sent Him too (cf Zechariah 2:8-10)

<i>Christ cannot be the true God since Jesus Himself stated that His Father is the only True God. How does one challenge this?</i>
By saying that Christ can be the true God since Jesus Himself stated not only that His Father is the only True God, but that His Father lives in Him and He lives in His Father (Jn 17:20-23). And that He (Jesus) is I Am (8:58).
Have you ever read the New Testament?
Thanks

<i>1 Corinthians 8:5,6 - For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Here again they say that to "us" the apostles and Christians there is one God who is the "Father", thus it would exclude Jesus from being the One God, how does one challenge this?</i>
By pointing out that the apostles also wrote In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh. Christ Who is God blessed forever; etc etc etc.
Here, again, Jesus is not <i>excluded</i> from being the One God because the One God is in Him and He is mingled with the One God and in the One God, and inseparable from the One God, in the way of Being. The Being of the One God is Three in One

<i>Notice how it also says that there are many lords just as there are many kings, but then says that there is ONE LORD and ONE GOD who is the Father, not Christ. How do you Christians explain this?</i>
By reading the Bible.
Thanks

Genna said:

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God? I am not a Christian but read the bible and can't seem to see where Christians believe that Jesus is God. My co-workers point to John 1:1, but how do they explain these verses?

John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Christ cannot be the true God since Jesus Himself stated that His Father is the only True God. How does one challenge this?

1 Corinthians 8:5,6 - For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Here again they say that to "us" the apostles and Christians there is one God who is the "Father", thus it would exclude Jesus from being the One God, how does one challenge this? Notice how it also says that there are many lords just as there are many kings, but then says that there is ONE LORD and ONE GOD who is the Father, not Christ. How do you Christians explain this?

Click to expand...

not all christians believe that Jesus is God , those who have an accurate understanding about what the bible really teaches , realize that the bible teaches that Jesus is Gods only- begotten son and is quite seperate to his Father Jehovah. the bible harmomizes throughout when the accurate understanding is applied.

This is how you know Jesus was God

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]John 1:13 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.[/FONT]

Genna said:

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God? I am not a Christian but read the bible and can't seem to see where Christians believe that Jesus is God. My co-workers point to John 1:1, but how do they explain these verses?

Click to expand...

Jesus Christ is God because the Apostle said he is God.

Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:

Mat 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

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

Even the demons know that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Mat 8:28 And when He had come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessed ones met Him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one might pass by that way.
Mat 8:29 And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?

You see the son of man is man, the son of a donkey is donkey, the son of goat is a goat. Therefore the Son of God is GOD.

God bless you.

Genna said:

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is God?

Click to expand...

It could possibly be that whole book of Revevelation thing among others.

verita said:

Jesus Christ is God because the Apostle said he is God.

Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:

Mat 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

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

Even the demons know that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Mat 8:28 And when He had come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessed ones met Him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one might pass by that way.
Mat 8:29 And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?

You see the son of man is man, the son of a donkey is donkey, the son of goat is a goat. Therefore the Son of God is GOD.

God bless you.

Click to expand...

Wait, whoa, hold up here! The Son [of] God is God? Is the Son of God a part of God or God Himself? I have heard that God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit right? So is each person in themself God or does all of them make up God? If each person is God by themself then that would logically make 3 Gods! and if each person is less than God (3 persons make up God, and God is not God without the other person/s) then each person is less than God! either way it does not make sense. Please explain.

Genna said:

Wait, whoa, hold up here! The Son [of] God is God? Is the Son of God a part of God or God Himself? I have heard that God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit right? So is each person in themself God or does all of them make up God? If each person is God by themself then that would logically make 3 Gods! and if each person is less than God (3 persons make up God, and God is not God without the other person/s) then each person is less than God! either way it does not make sense. Please explain.

Click to expand...

The bible mentions Godhead.
Col 2:8 Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
Col 2:9 for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

Godhead is like a family. Inside a family there are members but they are not the same.

The Godhead contains God the Father Almighty, the Son (our Lord Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;
Mat 3:17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

You see, our Lord Jesus Christ is in the water, the Holy Spirit is descending like a dove, the God Almighty Father is in heaven and said This is my beloved Son (Jesus in the water), whom I am well pleased.

They are ONE because they all belong to Godhead.

God bless you.