Billboard Claims “Jesus Is Not God.” What Does the Bible Say?

According to the website the billboards link to, this idea that “Jesus is not God” is the result of “an arduous, soul-stirring odyssey, demanding relentless scrutiny of every verse we once leaned upon. Each Scripture was weighed, tested, and reexamined in the light of truth.” Apparently, the conclusion this group came to was that Jesus is not God—a heresy that’s been condemned since the very early days of the church. But keep in mind, one can justify just about any position using Scripture when taking it out of context, etc.

There’s good reason why this idea has long been condemned by Christians. It goes against clear biblical teaching and the words of Jesus himself! Consider these verses, taken at face value:

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. (John 8:54–59)

The Jews at the time of Jesus knew exactly what he was saying—he is Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament. That’s why they tried to stone him for blasphemy.

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

When Thomas saw the resurrected Lord, he exclaimed that Jesus was Lord and God—and Jesus did not correct him; rather, he responded that those who believe without seeing are blessed. Believe what? In context, it’s to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and is therefore Lord and God.

Under the heading “Jesus Is Not God,” the billboard also claims: “Scripture says…Jesus did not pre-exist in heaven.” But this is also easily contradicted by Scripture. For example, take John 1:1:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

We even see a hint of this back in Genesis:

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis added)

Jesus is God—and that’s why he could be the Savior of the world.

Yes, “our” not “my,” because God is triune in nature: one God, three persons. Denying this (as the group behind this billboard does) is just the same old heresy that’s been condemned since the beginning of the church.

Jesus is God—and that’s why he could be the Savior of the world. You can learn more in this excellent article by AiG–UK’s Simon Turpin: “Is Jesus God? 10 Biblical Proofs of the Deity of Christ.”

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.