# The Deity of Christ: Is Jesus God? > Yes. Christians confess that Jesus is truly God and truly human. The passages are in Is Jesus God?; this page maps how Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints, and atheists hear that confession. - Canonical: https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/deity-of-christ - Religions: Christianity, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-day Saints - Denominations: none - Beliefs: Atheism - Tags: christology, jesus, trinity - Updated: 2026-10-09 - Author: [Paul Ambrose](https://apologetics.wiki/author/hi-its-paul) ([GitHub](https://github.com/hi-its-paul)) Historic Christianity says Jesus is truly God and truly human: not a God wearing a costume, and not a remarkable man later promoted by rumor. Neighbors who deny that sentence are not all making the same objection. ## Key points - [John 1:1–3](/bible/john/1) says the Word, who was God, is the one through whom all things were made. [John 20:28](/bible/john/20/28) records Thomas: “My LORD and my God.” - [Colossians 1:19](/bible/colossians/1/19) says it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. [Colossians 1:16](/bible/colossians/1/16) says all things were created by him. - [Hebrews 1:1–4](/bible/hebrews/1) says the Son is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person. - [Philippians 2:6](/bible/philippians/2/6) says he was “in the form of God” and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. The same paragraph says he took the form of a servant. - Many atheists grant a historical Jesus and doubt that he claimed what the later church claimed. Muslims receive him as Messiah and prophet and refuse divine sonship. See [Jesus in the Qur’an and the Gospels](/islam/jesus-in-the-quran-and-the-gospels). - Jehovah’s Witnesses honor him as the greatest of God’s creatures and identify him with Michael. Their [New World Translation of John 1:1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/nwt/books/john/1/#v43001001) reads “the Word was a god.” See [John 1 and the Word](/jehovahs-witnesses/john-1-and-the-word). - Latter-day Saints speak of Jesus as divine. [Doctrine and Covenants 130:22](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130?lang=eng&id=22) says the Father and the Son have tangible bodies. That is not the Nicene phrase “of one being with the Father.” See [the Godhead](/latter-day-saints/the-godhead-in-latter-day-saint-teaching). ## The question Is Jesus God? Yes: truly God and truly human, not a God wearing a costume, and not a remarkable man later promoted by rumor. The passages, including John 8:58, John 10:30, Mark 2, Mark 14:62, John 20:28, and Philippians 2, are in [Is Jesus God?](/christianity/is-jesus-god). This page is the map of how Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints, and atheists hear that confession. They are not making the same objection. ## What the neighbors say Many atheists grant a historical Jesus of some kind and doubt that he claimed what the later church claimed. On this telling, high language about divinity grew as the movement aged. The reply is the early texts, and which of them are doing the work. “Legend” is not an argument. Muslims receive Jesus as messiah and prophet, born of Mary, and refuse divine sonship as an attack on God’s oneness. See [Jesus in the Qur’an and the Gospels](/islam/jesus-in-the-quran-and-the-gospels). Jehovah’s Witnesses honor Jesus as the greatest of God’s creatures, identify him with Michael the archangel, and refuse to call him Almighty God. Their [New World Translation of John 1:1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/nwt/books/john/1/#v43001001) renders the end of the verse as “the Word was a god.” See [John 1 and the Word](/jehovahs-witnesses/john-1-and-the-word). Latter-day Saints speak of Jesus as divine and as the Son, and they mean it. Their teaching of the Godhead does not match the Nicene phrase “of one being with the Father.” See [Do Mormons believe in the Trinity?](/latter-day-saints/the-godhead-in-latter-day-saint-teaching). They do confess Jesus. ## The Christian claim The confession is not that Christians found a verse with the word “God” next to the word “Jesus” and stopped. It is a pattern: the Word through whom all things were made ([John 1:1–3](/bible/john/1)), Thomas’s “My LORD and my God” ([John 20:28](/bible/john/20/28)), the Son as the one in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell ([Colossians 1:19](/bible/colossians/1/19)), the Son addressed as God in [Hebrews 1](/bible/hebrews/1), and the name above every name in [Philippians 2](/bible/philippians/2). [Philippians 2](/bible/philippians/2) is also used by readers who stress that Jesus did not grasp at equality. The argument is about what “equality with God” and “the form of God” are doing in the paragraph. [The Trinity](/christianity/the-trinity) is how the church says this without saying there are three gods. “Being” is what is one. “Person” is Father, Son, and Spirit. ## Passages - [John 1:1–18](/bible/john/1) and [John 20:28](/bible/john/20/28). - [Colossians 1:15–20](/bible/colossians/1). “Firstborn” is used by Witnesses and by others as “first created.” The same paragraph says all things were created in him. Nicene readers hear rank and source, not “first creature.” See [What does “firstborn of all creation” mean?](/jehovahs-witnesses/what-does-firstborn-of-all-creation-mean). - [Hebrews 1:1–4](/bible/hebrews/1). - [Philippians 2:5–11](/bible/philippians/2). The Greek of verse 6 is on [Philippians 2:6](/bible/philippians/2/6). - [Titus 2:13](/bible/titus/2/13), [2 Peter 1:1](/bible/2-peter/1/1), [Romans 9:5](/bible/romans/9/5), and [Hebrews 1:8](/bible/hebrews/1/8). Each page shows the Greek under the King James text and notes how the New World Translation renders that one verse. ## Keep reading - [The Islamic dilemma](/islam/the-islamic-dilemma) - [The Trinity](/christianity/the-trinity) - [What do Catholics believe?](/christianity/what-do-catholics-believe) and [What do Protestants believe?](/christianity/what-do-protestants-believe), which quote the Nicene sentence that Jesus is true God from true God - [John 1 and the Word](/jehovahs-witnesses/john-1-and-the-word) - [Does Jesus do what only God does?](/islam/does-jesus-do-what-only-god-does) - [If Jesus is God, why did he pray?](/islam/if-jesus-is-god-why-did-he-pray) - [Why don’t Jews believe Jesus is the Messiah?](/judaism/why-dont-jews-believe-jesus-is-the-messiah) - [What do Unitarians believe?](/unitarian-universalism/what-do-unitarians-believe) ## Passages quoted on this page ### John 1:1–3 King James Version. > [1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [1:2] The same was in the beginning with God. [1:3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ### John 20:28 King James Version. > And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. ### Colossians 1:19 King James Version. > For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ### Colossians 1:16 King James Version. > For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ### Hebrews 1:1–4 King James Version. > [1:1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [1:2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [1:3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [1:4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. ### Philippians 2:6 King James Version. > Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ### John 1:1 New World Translation (2013). [Open on jw.org](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/john/1/#v43001001) > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. ### Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 English, churchofjesuschrist.org. [Open on churchofjesuschrist.org](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130?lang=eng&id=22) > The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. ### John 1:1–18 King James Version. > [1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [1:2] The same was in the beginning with God. [1:3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [1:4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [1:5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [1:6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [1:7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [1:8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [1:9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [1:10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [1:11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [1:12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [1:13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [1:14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [1:15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. [1:16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [1:17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [1:18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. ### Colossians 1:15–20 King James Version. > [1:15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [1:16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [1:17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [1:18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [1:19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [1:20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. ### Philippians 2:5–11 King James Version. > [2:5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [2:6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [2:7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [2:8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [2:9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [2:10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [2:11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ### Titus 2:13 King James Version. > Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ### 2 Peter 1:1 King James Version. > Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ### Romans 9:5 King James Version. > Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. ### Hebrews 1:8 King James Version. > But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ## Sources Numbered to match the HTML References list. Item 1 is `#ref-1` under `#references`. Scripture links to the King James Version on this site. 1. [Gospel of John, 1:1–18; 20:28](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/john/1). King James Version 2. [Letter to the Colossians, 1:15–20](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/colossians/1). King James Version 3. [Letter to the Hebrews, 1:1–4](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/hebrews/1). King James Version 4. [Letter to the Philippians, 2:5–11](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/philippians/2). King James Version 5. [Insight on the Scriptures, Michael](https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003035) (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The entry identifies Michael the archangel with Jesus.) 6. [Letter to Titus, 2:13](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/titus/2/13). King James Version 7. [Second Letter of Peter, 1:1](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/2-peter/1/1). King James Version 8. [Letter to the Romans, 9:5](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/romans/9/5). King James Version 9. [Letter to the Hebrews, 1:8](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/hebrews/1/8). King James Version ## See also - [Is Jesus God? Where Jesus Claimed to Be God](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/is-jesus-god) — Yes. Jesus is truly God and truly human. He forgave sins, applied God’s name and honor to himself, and received the words “My LORD and my God,” which is why the church confesses him as God the Son. - [The Trinity](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/the-trinity) — Christians confess that the one God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: not three gods, and not one person taking turns. - [Does the Trinity Depend on 1 John 5:7?](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/does-the-trinity-depend-on-1-john-5-7) — The sentence about the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost in the King James Version of 1 John 5:7 was added later. The Trinity does not rest on it. - [My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/my-god-my-god-why-have-you-forsaken-me) — Jesus was praying Psalm 22. The cry is the opening of a psalm in which God hears the sufferer, and it belongs to the Son bearing sin, not to a split inside God or to a crucifixion that never happened. - [The resurrection of Jesus](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/resurrection-of-jesus) — The Christian claim that Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised, and the main ways that claim is doubted. ## History [View history on GitHub](https://github.com/Apologetics-Wiki/apologetics-wiki/commits/main/src/content/articles/deity-of-christ.md)