What the Bible Says About Jesus

Discovering the Jesus of Scripture with fresh eyes

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Introduction

If you grew up in the LDS faith, you know Jesus. You sang about him in Primary, took the sacrament in his name, and perhaps even served a mission proclaiming him. Jesus has always been central to your faith.

You've testified that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the one who atoned for sins in Gethsemane and on the cross. In many ways, your devotion to Jesus has been sincere and deep.

But here's a question worth asking: Is the Jesus you learned about the same Jesus described in the pages of the New Testament?

This isn't meant as an accusation. It's an invitation to look at Scripture directly, without the interpretive lens of any particular tradition, and see what the biblical authors actually wrote about who Jesus is.

What you discover might surprise you. It might also change everything.

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Jesus Is God: Not a Separate God, But the One True God

One of the clearest statements about Jesus's identity comes in the opening verses of John's Gospel:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:1-3)

And then, a few verses later:

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

John is saying something remarkable here. Let's unpack it carefully:

"In the beginning was the Word": The Word (Jesus) didn't come into existence at some point. He simply was, already existing when everything began. This echoes Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God..." Jesus shares God's eternal existence.

"The Word was with God": There is distinction within the Godhead. The Word was in relationship with God.

"The Word was God": And yet, the Word wasn't merely with God; he was God. Not a god, not a lesser deity, not a separate god, but God himself.

"Through him all things were made": Everything that exists was created through Jesus. This means Jesus himself cannot be a created being. You cannot create yourself. If all things were made through him, he must be uncreated and eternal.

This isn't the only place Scripture makes this claim. Consider these passages:

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:15-17)

The phrase "firstborn over all creation" doesn't mean Jesus was the first thing created. In Jewish culture, "firstborn" was a title of preeminence and authority, not necessarily birth order. The context makes this clear: Jesus is before all things and created all things. He holds the position of supremacy over creation because he is its source.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." (Hebrews 1:3)

Jesus is the "exact representation" of God's being, not a copy, not a reflection, but the precise expression of who God is. To see Jesus is to see God.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." (Colossians 2:9)

Not part of the Deity. Not a portion. The fullness, everything that God is, dwells in Jesus in bodily form.

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The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

The biblical teaching is not that there are multiple gods, with Jesus being one of them. Rather, Scripture teaches that there is one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is admittedly a mystery, something that stretches human understanding. But it's what the biblical data points to:

There is only one God:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 45:5)

"You believe that there is one God. Good!" (James 2:19)

Yet the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God:

The Father is called God throughout Scripture. Jesus is called God (John 1:1, 20:28, Hebrews 1:8, Titus 2:13). The Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4) and possesses divine attributes.

And these three are distinct persons:

At Jesus's baptism, the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends like a dove. These are three distinct persons acting simultaneously (Matthew 3:16-17).

Jesus prays to the Father (John 17). He promises to send "another Helper," the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). These are not three modes of one person, but three persons in eternal relationship.

The early Christians, wrestling with all this biblical data, articulated the doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three persons, co-equal and co-eternal. It's not a contradiction (one God who is also three gods), but a mystery (one God who exists as three persons).

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Jesus Accepted Worship: Something Only God Can Do

Throughout the Bible, worship is reserved for God alone. This is one of the clearest boundary markers between the Creator and creation.

When people tried to worship angels, they were stopped:

"I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!'" (Revelation 22:8-9)

When Cornelius tried to worship Peter, Peter refused:

"As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. 'Stand up,' he said, 'I am only a man myself.'" (Acts 10:25-26)

But Jesus accepted worship repeatedly:

• The disciples worshiped him after he walked on water: "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" (Matthew 14:33)

• Thomas called him "My Lord and my God!" and Jesus didn't correct him; he affirmed Thomas's faith (John 20:28-29)

• The wise men worshiped him as an infant (Matthew 2:11)

• A healed blind man worshiped him, and Jesus received it (John 9:38)

• After his resurrection, the disciples "worshiped him" (Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:52)

If Jesus were merely a created being, even an exalted one, accepting worship would have been blasphemy. Angels refuse it. Apostles refuse it. But Jesus accepted it because worship was rightly his. He is God.

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Jesus Claimed Divine Authority

Jesus didn't just accept worship from others; he made claims about himself that only make sense if he is God:

He Claimed to Forgive Sins

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" (Mark 2:5-7)

The religious leaders understood exactly what Jesus was claiming. If someone sins against you, you can forgive them. But these were sins against God, and only God can forgive sins against himself. Jesus was claiming divine authority.

And notice: Jesus didn't back down. He didn't say, "Oh, I didn't mean it that way." Instead, he healed the man to prove he had authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:10-12).

He Claimed to Be the "I AM"

"'Very truly I tell you,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!' At this, they picked up stones to stone him." (John 8:58-59)

"I AM" is the divine name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush:

"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.'" (Exodus 3:14)

When Jesus used this phrase (not "I was" but "I am"), the Jewish leaders understood he was claiming to be Yahweh, the eternal, self-existent God. That's why they tried to stone him for blasphemy. They knew exactly what he was saying.

Jesus used "I AM" statements throughout John's Gospel:

• "I am the bread of life" (6:35)

• "I am the light of the world" (8:12)

• "I am the gate" (10:9)

• "I am the good shepherd" (10:11)

• "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25)

• "I am the way and the truth and the life" (14:6)

• "I am the true vine" (15:1)

Each of these claims divine prerogatives. Only God is the source of life, light, truth, and salvation.

He Claimed Equality with the Father

"I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)

"All that belongs to the Father is mine." (John 16:15)

"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5)

Jesus claimed to share the Father's glory before the world began. This is a claim to eternal preexistence and divine glory.

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Jesus's Work Is Complete

One of the most significant differences between LDS teaching and biblical Christianity concerns the nature of Jesus's saving work.

In LDS theology, Jesus's atonement makes salvation possible, but individuals must still do their part through ordinances, temple work, and ongoing obedience to access that salvation fully. The atonement opens the door, but you must walk through it by your own efforts.

But Scripture presents a different picture. On the cross, Jesus declared:

"It is finished." (John 19:30)

The Greek word here is tetelestai, a term used in commerce meaning "paid in full." When a debt was completely satisfied, this word was written across the bill. Jesus wasn't saying his life was ending; he was declaring that the work of redemption was complete. The debt is paid. Nothing remains.

The book of Hebrews emphasizes this repeatedly:

"Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." (Hebrews 7:27)

"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:11-12)

"By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Hebrews 10:14)

Notice the contrast: the Old Testament priests stood (their work was never done), but Jesus sat down (his work is finished). They offered sacrifices "again and again," but Jesus offered "one sacrifice for sins" that accomplished everything.

The phrase "made perfect forever" is stunning. Not "made potentially perfect if you do your part." Not "made perfect as long as you maintain your worthiness." Made perfect. Forever. By one sacrifice.

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Direct Access to God Through Jesus

Because Jesus's work is complete, we have direct access to God. We don't need additional mediators, temples, or ordinances to approach him.

When Jesus died, something remarkable happened:

"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (Matthew 27:51)

The temple curtain separated the Holy of Holies (God's presence) from the rest of the temple. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, with blood sacrifice. It symbolized the barrier between sinful humanity and a holy God.

When Jesus died, that curtain was torn, not from bottom to top (as if by human hands), but from top to bottom (by God himself). The barrier was removed. Access was granted.

The book of Hebrews applies this directly:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings." (Hebrews 10:19-22)

You can approach God directly. Right now. Not because you're worthy, but because Jesus has made you worthy through his sacrifice. You don't need to go through a temple. You don't need special ordinances. You don't need to prove yourself. The way is open.

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

One mediator. Not many. Not a hierarchy of priests and temples. Jesus alone bridges the gap between God and humanity.

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What This Means for You

If Jesus is truly God in human flesh (not a separate god among many, but the one eternal God who created all things), then everything changes.

It means you don't need additional mediators, temples, or ordinances to access God. Jesus himself is the way:

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)

It means the work of salvation is complete. You're not adding to it; you're receiving it.

It means you can have assurance, not hoping you've done enough, but trusting in what Jesus has done.

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)

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A Different Kind of Relationship

When you understand who Jesus really is (the eternal God who loved you enough to become human and die in your place), your relationship with him transforms.

It's no longer about checking boxes or proving your worthiness. It's about responding to a love that was already given before you did anything to earn it.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Not after we cleaned ourselves up. Not after we did all we could do. While we were still sinners.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

This is the Jesus of the Bible. Not a distant figure who waits for you to become worthy, but a Savior who came to you while you were still lost. Not one god among many, but the one true God who took on flesh to rescue you.

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Common Objections

"But Jesus prayed to the Father. How can he be God if he prayed to God?"

This is where the Trinity helps us. Jesus is God the Son, distinct from God the Father, yet one in essence with him. In his incarnation, Jesus lived as a human being in dependence on the Father, modeling for us what a life of communion with God looks like. His prayers don't diminish his deity; they reveal the relationship within the Godhead.

"Doesn't the Bible say Jesus is the 'Son of God'? Doesn't that mean he's lesser than the Father?"

In ancient culture, "son of" often meant "having the same nature as." When Jesus was called the Son of God, the Jewish leaders understood he was claiming equality with God. That's why they accused him of blasphemy (John 5:18, 10:33). The title elevates Jesus, not diminishes him.

"What about verses that seem to show Jesus as lesser, like 'the Father is greater than I' (John 14:28)?"

In context, Jesus is speaking about his incarnate state, his voluntary humiliation in becoming human. Philippians 2:6-8 describes how Jesus, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant." The "greater than" refers to position during the incarnation, not nature or essence.

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Questions to Consider

1. How does your understanding of Jesus compare to what these Scripture passages describe?

2. What would it mean for your faith if Jesus is truly the one eternal God, not a separate deity?

3. What would it mean if Jesus's work on the cross is truly complete, with nothing left to add?

4. How might your relationship with God change if you could approach him directly, without additional requirements?

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Key Scripture References

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If you'd like to explore these ideas further or have questions, we're here to talk. No pressure, no agenda, just honest conversation. Use the "Talk to Someone" button below to connect with us.

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References and Further Reading

• All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.

• For further study, consider:

  • Reading the Gospel of John in its entirety
  • Reading the book of Hebrews
  • "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (especially Book II: "What Christians Believe")
  • "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel