MJFlores
Well-Known Member
The Bible never records Jesus saying the precise words, “I am God.” That does not mean, however, that He did not proclaim that He is God. Take for example Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” We need only to look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement to know He was claiming to be God. They tried to stone Him for this very reason: “You, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming—deity. When Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one,” He was saying that He and the Father are of one nature and essence. John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth … before Abraham was born, I am!” Jews who heard this statement responded by taking up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, as the Mosaic Law commanded (Leviticus 24:16).
Hello David!
Question: "Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God?"
My Answer: Jesus never claimed to be God but Jesus pointed out who is God.
However before we begin the study on this, does everyone here know that if we have a false belief about God, this will lead us to eternal punishment, the second death?
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (NIV)
in the Amplified Bible Rev 21:8 this is recorded:
But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
It would be constructive if I face one verse at a time, instead of throwing them indiscriminately without hitting the bulls eye.
“One” in Taking Care of Christ’s sheep
If we are going to examine the context of John 10:27-30, it is clear here why the Lord Jesus said “I and My Father are one”:
John 10:27-30 NKJV
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."
Christ’s said, “neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” He also said, “My father, who has given them to Me, is greater tha all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Thus, His conclusion, “I and My Father are one.”
Take note that when the Lord Jesus said “I and My father are one,” He is not taking about His state of being or his true nature. He is talking about how He and the Father will take care of His sheep that if they will hear His voice and follow Him no one shall snatch them out of His and His father’s hand.
Other Translations of John 10:30
Based on the context of the John 10:27-30, it is clear that the Lord Jesus is talking about how He and His Father are one in taking care of His sheep. Further strengthening this position, many versions of the Bible support our position that when Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one,” He is not referring to His divinity, but rather on how He and his Father are one in taking care of His sheep.
The Message – “I and the Father are one heart and mind”:
John 10:27-30 The Message
“My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.” (Emphasis Mine)
Contemporary English Version – “I am one with the Father”:
John 10:27-30 CEV
“My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father.” (Emphasis Mine)
New Testament: An Expanded Translation – “I and the Father are one in essence”:
John 10:27-30 Wuest
“The sheep which are mine are in the habit of listening to my voice, and I know them by experience, and they take the same road that I take with me, and I give to them life eternal. And they shall positively not perish, never. And no one will snatch them by force out of my hand. My Father who gave them to me as a permanent gift is greater than all. And no one is able to be snatching them by force out of the hand of my Father. I and the Father are one in essence.” (Emphasis Mine)