It honestly baffles me when I hear someone who claims to know the Bible say that Jesus Christ is not God, and that the concept of the Trinity is some made-up doctrine. It's one thing to have honest questions and seek understanding, but to flat-out deny these core tenets of Christianity while holding up the Bible as your guide seems utterly contradictory. Let's be clear: the scriptures themselves shout from the rooftops about the divine nature of Jesus and hint at the beautiful mystery of the Trinity.
For anyone genuinely curious, and especially for those who might be led astray by such claims, let's take a look at what the Bible actually says.
The Undeniable Divinity of Jesus
Where do we even begin to demonstrate Jesus' divine nature from scripture? There are so many instances, but let's highlight a few key areas:
John 10:25-33 NIV [25] Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” [31] Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, [32] but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” [33] “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” (emphasis mine)
Jesus didn't correct their understanding; instead, He defended His claim.
John 10:34-39 NIV [34] Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? [35] If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— [36] what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? [37] Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. [38] But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” [39] Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Look at something else Jesus said;
John 8:58-59 NIV [58] “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” [59] At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
When Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was born, I am." This is an echo of the very name of God in the Old Testament, signifying His eternal existence.
Exodus 3:14 NIV God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Mark 2:1-12 NIV [1] A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? [10] But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, [11] “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [12] He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The onlookers recognized the profound implication.
For anyone genuinely curious, and especially for those who might be led astray by such claims, let's take a look at what the Bible actually says.
The Undeniable Divinity of Jesus
Where do we even begin to demonstrate Jesus' divine nature from scripture? There are so many instances, but let's highlight a few key areas:
- Direct Claims and "I Am" Statements: Jesus Himself made statements that were understood by His contemporaries as claims to divinity.
John 10:25-33 NIV [25] Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” [31] Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, [32] but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” [33] “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” (emphasis mine)
Jesus didn't correct their understanding; instead, He defended His claim.
John 10:34-39 NIV [34] Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? [35] If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— [36] what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? [37] Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. [38] But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” [39] Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Look at something else Jesus said;
John 8:58-59 NIV [58] “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” [59] At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
When Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was born, I am." This is an echo of the very name of God in the Old Testament, signifying His eternal existence.
Exodus 3:14 NIV God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
- Miracles and Authority: Jesus performed miracles that were beyond human capability – healing the sick, raising the dead, calming storms. These weren't just acts of kindness; they were demonstrations of divine power and authority. Think about the time He forgave sins, something only God can do.
Mark 2:1-12 NIV [1] A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? [10] But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, [11] “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [12] He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The onlookers recognized the profound implication.
- Titles and Worship: The Bible uses titles for Jesus that are reserved for God. He is called Lord (Kyrios), a term used in the Greek Old Testament for Yahweh. When Thomas saw Him after His resurrection he declared, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:26-29 NIV [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” [28] Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus accepted this worship, and did not rebuke Thomas. Throughout scripture, we see Jesus receiving worship, something that would be blasphemous if He were merely a man.
Matthew 2:9-11 NIV [9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (emphasis mine)
Matthew 14:32-33 NIV And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. [33] Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (emphasis mine)
Revelation 5:6-14 NIV [6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [9] And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” [13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” [14] The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (emphasis mine)
- His Unique Relationship with the Father: Jesus consistently spoke of God as His Father in a way that denoted a unique and intimate relationship, far beyond that of other humans. He claimed to have come from the Father and that seeing Him was seeing the Father.
John 16:28 NIV I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 14:9-10 NIV [9] Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Glimpses of the Holy Trinity
While the word "Trinity" itself doesn't appear in the Bible, the concept of one God existing in three co-equal persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is woven throughout the scriptures:
- The Great Commission: Jesus commands His followers to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV [16] Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Notice the singular "name" but the plural "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit," indicating their unity and distinctness within the Godhead.
- Jesus' Baptism: At Jesus' baptism, we see all three persons of the Trinity present: the Father speaking from heaven, the Son being baptized, and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove.
Matthew 3:16-17 NIV [16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (emphasis mine)
- Blessings and Greetings: Paul's benediction highlights the distinct yet unified roles of the three persons.
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 NIV [11] Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. [12] Greet one another with a holy kiss. [13] All God’s people here send their greetings. [14] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (emphasis mine)
- Old Testament Hints: Even in the Old Testament, there are hints of plurality within God, such as the use of the plural form "Elohim" for God.
Genesis 1:1 AMP In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens
And the phrase "Let us make mankind in our image"
Genesis 1:26 AMP [26] Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”
Finally
To deny the divinity of Jesus and the existence of the Trinity based on the very Bible that reveals them is not just a misunderstanding; it's a blatant disregard for the clear testimony of scripture. While the Trinity remains a profound mystery, it's a mystery revealed to us through God's Word. Let's approach the Bible with humility, seeking to understand the depths of God's nature as He has revealed it, rather than twisting it to fit preconceived notions. The evidence is there for those willing to see it.
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