Is Jesus really fully God?
CS Lewis famously described the conversation about Jesus' deity as "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord." Jesus said He was fully God. So if He knew He wasn't, He's a liar, condemn Him. If He wasn't but thought He was, He's a lunatic, pity Him. Or... He's telling the truth, and He's Lord, accept Him. Understanding this question sets the stage for how we consider our response to Jesus and His message.
Jesus makes 5 claims of equality with God. Let's evaluate them.
In John 5, Jesus is interacting with a group of leaders who are doubting that He is God, and in response, Jesus gives 5 points that show He is equal with God:
(If you struggle with trusting the Bible as a reliable historical source, and therefore trusting what's in it, look for our post examining that question using 3 tests of document integrity)
Equal in Person
John 5:17-18. God the Father also said this in Matthew 3:16-17 (and He's the One Jesus is claiming to be equal to). John the Baptist testified to this in John 1:32-34. In Isaiah 44:6 & 48:12 God the Father is identified as the first and the last; in Revelation 1:8,17 Jesus is identified as the first and the last.
Equal in Work
John 5:19-20. Multiple others give testimony to this: John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16 & Genesis 1:1.
Equal in Power
In John 5:21, Jesus specifically mentions sovereignty over life. Scripture shows God the Father has that sovereignty (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37, 5:7). Scripture shows Jesus has the same sovereignty (John 11:25-44, 14:19, 20:1-18).
Equal in Judgment Authority
John 5:22. Mark 2:1-12 records Jesus demonstrating this equality. Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 identify God the Father and Jesus as being equal in their right and position as judge.
Equal in Honor
John 5:23. In Daniel 7:13-14 and Revelation 5:13 we see other testimony that Jesus is equal to God in the honor due Him.
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
To dismiss Jesus' equality with God as something modern religion invented ignores the fact that Jesus claimed this, and the people of His day clearly understood what He was saying. Every claim Jesus makes is supported by either eyewitnesses, or other testimonies throughout time as recorded in Scripture, including by God the Father Himself, the very One who would be wronged if Jesus was making this claim erroneously. When we examine Jesus' claims of deity and equality with God, we find He is telling the truth.
How am I meant to respond to this?
Repent. Confess. Believe. (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 10:43). If you're unsure what any of that means, see below for how to contact us and we would love to talk with you about this!