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If you debate Muslims, one thing will come up repeatedly: they will ask where in the Bible Jesus Christ says, “I am God”. They will even try to say, “in those exact words”, which is a shallow trap for beginners.

This is their “gotcha” moment. Muslims are trained to ask this question. Sadly, most Christians don’t know how to answer. In this article, I will provide an answer and also have a look at who Jesus is from scripture. We need to be well-equipped to answer questions.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
– 1 Peter 3:15

This article is aimed at equipping believers to share the Gospel, particularly with Muslims.

Jesus is God – in His own words – Scriptural Proof

First, let’s look at who God called Himself in the Old Testament. Click here for an article I wrote some years ago looking at the names of God.

In Exodus 3, we have the account of Moses encountering God at the burning bush. This was a pivotal moment in all of history as God lays out who He is.

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”
And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
– Exodus 3:14

The key phrase is “I AM has sent me to you”. This is a critical name of God as He defines Himself with that name. Keep this in mind as we look at Jesus’ own words.

In John 8, Jesus has a long dialog with the Jewish religious leaders which Jesus says something that they consider blasphemy, to the point they want to stone Jesus to death (John 8:59), as Jesus calls Himself God. What triggered this response?

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
– John 8:58

Jesus had just declared Himself to be God which was blasphemy to the Jewish religious leaders. So yes, Jesus did say ‘I am God’, albeit not in the exact phrase Muslims want it said (a cheap trick by Muslims).

Please take time to listen to the apologist Cliffe Knechtel, who debates on university campuses, often with Muslims. Here is a short example from Cliffe as he uses John 8:58.

Having answered this key question of Jesus being God, the rest of this article provides some basic resources to help us proclaim the Gospel of His Kingdom more effectively.

A Deeper Look at Who Jesus Is

If we are going to give a defence, we need to have our theology and scriptures clear and ready to go. Here is a basic outline of Christology we all need to have at our fingertips.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
– John 14:6

Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, Yeshua HaMashiach (Ha = the, Mashiach = Messiah), Jesus Christ is the central figure of human history, recognised not just as a great teacher or prophet, but as the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. (John 3:16–17; Matthew 16:16; John 20:31)

Note: The word Christ comes from the Greek Christos (Χριστός), which means “Anointed One”. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ) — Messiah.  So: Christ = Messiah = Anointed One.

His Identity

– Fully God and Fully Man

Jesus has two complete natures: one fully human and one fully divine. What the doctrine of the hypostatic union teaches is that these two natures are united in one person in the God-man. Jesus is not two persons. He is one person. The hypostatic union is the joining (mysterious though it be) of the divine and the human in the one person of Jesus.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things.” (Hebrews 2:14)

Jesus says “I am God” – an example of explaining it in the Cliffe Knechtle video above.

– The Second Person of the Trinity

Jesus is the second of three persons in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), being co-eternal and equal with God the Father.

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

 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6)

 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

– The Messiah (Christ)

Derived from the Hebrew Mashiach (“Anointed One”), the title signifies that Jesus is the long-awaited deliverer prophesied in the Old Testament.

 “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ).” (John 1:41)

 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me.” (Isaiah 61:1; fulfilled in Luke 4:17–21)

 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for Me one Who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

His Life and Work

– Miraculous Birth

Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit, a sign of His unique divine and human nature, born into a kosher Jewish family.

 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22–23)

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you… therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

 “Born of woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4)

– Sinless Life

Though He experienced all human temptations and sufferings, Christians believe Jesus remained entirely without sin. Jesus (Yeshua) ministered as a kosher, Jewish Rabbi in Israel/Judea.

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22)

“One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God.” (John 3:2)

– Atoning Sacrifice that Bought Salvation

His death by crucifixion is seen as a voluntary sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity, reconciling people with God.

 “He was pierced for our transgressions.” (Isaiah 53:5)

 “The Son of Man came… to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

 “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24)

– Resurrection and Ascension

Three days after His death, Jesus rose bodily from the grave, proving His victory over death and validating His divine claims. He later ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God.

 “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” (Matthew 28:6)

 “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

 “He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)

 “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33–36)

His Current and Future Role

-Mediator and Advocate

Jesus is currently the high priest and advocate for us in heaven, interceding for believers.

 “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

 “He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

 “If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)

– The Only Way to Salvation

Faith in Jesus is the exclusive path to eternal life and a restored relationship with God.

 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

 “There is salvation in no one else.” (Acts 4:12)

 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36)

 “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15)

– Second Coming

Jesus (God the Son) will return to Earth to judge the living and the dead and to establish His eternal kingdom.

 “This same Jesus… will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

 “For the Son of Man is going to come… and then He will repay each person according to what he has done.” (Matthew 16:27)

 “He shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

Comprehensive List of Jesus’ attributes

This is a handy reference list of what Jesus is and can do. It shows us how awesome our Lord is.

Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach)

1. Who can forgive sins? (Mathew 9:2-6) (Mark 2: 1-12)
2. Who has authority over heaven and earth? (Matthew 28:18; Mark 2:6-10)
3. Who can claim to be the Alpha and Omega? (Rev 1:18)
4. Who can claim He is descended from Heaven? (John 5:38)
5. Who is the King of the Jews? (Matthew 27:37)
6. Who can claim authority over natural forces like storm and sea waves? (Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 8:26)
7. Who can claim authority over demons? (Mark 9:25)
8. Who can claim He is the Light of the world? (John 8:12)
9. Who can promise and give Eternal Life? (John 3:26)
10. Who can posses the keys of Death and Hell? (Rev 1:19)
11. Who can claim “I AM” in front of the high priest? (Matthew 26:64)
12. Who can claim the worship of man? (Matthew 28:16)
13. Who can claim the name “Emmanuel”, meaning God is with us? (Matthew 1:24)
14. Who can send the Holy Spirit of God? (Mark 1:8)
15. Who can claim “I will take you to Heaven”? (John 14:3)
16. Who can claim “if you have seen Me, you have seen the living GOD”? (John 14:9)
17. Who can claim to be the Son of God? (Mathew 3:17) (Luke 9:35)
18. Who can claim He will be with us till the end of the world? (Mathew 28:20)
19. Who can claim “all the prophecies are fulfilled”? (John 19:30; Luke 18:31)
20. Who can claim that He will judge all on Judgment Day? (Matthew 25:31-37)
21. Who can claim He will be in their midst when two people pray together? (Matthew 18:20)
22. Who can give the signs of Doomsday? (Mark 13:3-31)
23. Who can baptise man with God’s Holy Spirit? (Mark 1:8)
24. Who can ascend to Heaven and sit on the right side of God’s glory? (Mark 16:19)
25. Who can say that I AM THE MESSIAH? (John 4:26)
26. Who can take away the sins of the world? (John 1:29)
27. Who can claim He is “eternal bread” (John 5:33-35)
28. Who can claim “I will resurrect the dead”? (John 11:25)
29. Who can claim “I came from God”? (John 8:42; John 16:27)
30. Who can claim that “He is Sinless”? (John 8:46)
31. Who can claim “Before Abraham was… I AM” (the living God) centuries after Abraham’s death? (John 8:58)
32. Who can claim “I am the GOOD Shepherd” when the scripture says God is Good, and God is the shepherd? (John 10:1; Psalms 23:1)
33. Who can claim “I and My Father are One”? (John 10:30)
34. Who can claim He is the Life and Resurrection and whoever believes in Him will live again? (John 11:25)
35. Who can offer a dwelling place in Heaven? (John 14:2)
36. Who can offer, “I will take you to Heaven”? (John 14:3)
37. Who can claim He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and through Him one can come to God? (John 14:6)
38. Who can claim that whoever sees Him sees the Father? (John 14:9)
39. Who can assure you that “If you ask in His name. He will give it to glorify the Father”? (John 14:13)
40. Who can offer the Spirit of God? (John 14:16)
41. Who can offer the real Peace? (John 14:27)
42. Who can come and reside in us? (John 14:24)
43. Who can claim “Because of My word, you are clean”? (John 15:3)
44. Who can claim “I have done things which others cannot do”? (John 15:24)
45. Who can promise that the Holy Spirit of God will witness to Him? (John 15:26)
46. Who can promise that the Holy Spirit of God will glorify Him? (John 16:15)
47. Who can claim that everything God has belongs to Him? (John 16:15)
48. Who can proclaim, “I have conquered the world”? (John 16:33)
49. Who can say, “He is not belonging to this world”? (John 17:14)
50. Who can claim “before the creation He is”? (John 17:24)
51. Who can claim “My kingdom is not of this world”? (John 18:36)
52. Who can claim “twelve legions of angels are under His control”? (Mathew 26:53)
53. Who can claim the ownership of Paradise? (Luke 23:43)
54. Who can share the same SPIRIT with the Father? (Galatians 4:6)
55. Who can claim God’s properties as His own? (John 16:15, 17:10)
56. Who can discharge and acquit a sinner? (John 8:10-11)
57. Who share the same name with the Father? (Isaiah 9:6)
58. Who can claim the same title of GOD? (John 8:24)
59. Who can claim the ownership of Paradise and bring in anyone at will? (Luke 23:43)
60. Who can claim the ownership of Angels? (Matthew 16:27)
61. Who can claim to give only what God alone can give? (John 14:26, 15:26)
62. Who can be worshipped by his own mother and friends as God? (Acts 1:13)
63. Who can be all-knowing? (John 13:3, 18:4, 19:28)
64. Who can be all-powerful? (Philippians 4:13)
65. Who can destroy Satan? (Hebrews 2:14-15, Colossians 2:14-15)
66. Who can be alive forevermore? (Revelation 1:18)
67. Who can be above all kings and all other gods (lords)? (Revelation 19:16)
68. Who can or will come on the clouds of heaven? (Mark 14:62)
69. Who can be an express image of the living GOD? (Hebrews 1:3)
70. Who can be in-dwelled by the fullness of the Godhead (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) bodily? (Colossians 2:9)
71. Who can be said to be above all principalities, powers and dominions? (Colossians 1:16)
72. Who can be said to create all things? (Colossians 1:16, John 1:1-3)
73. Who can be called God by God the Father? (Hebrews 1:8)
74. Who was persecuted for making Himself equal with God? (John 5:18)
75. Who can boast of dying and coming back from death at will? (John 10:17-18)
76. Who can request the same honour given to the Father? (John 5:23)
77. Who is worthy of the same honour given to the Father? (John 5:23)
78. Who can claim He is greater than God’s temple? (Matthew 12:26)
79. Who can claim to be greater than another prophet like Him? (Matthew 12:41)
80. Who can claim to be greater than King Solomon, who was said to be the greatest among kings that ever lived and ever will live? (Matthew 12:42, 1 Kings 3:11-13)
81. Who can be Lord in presence of the Lord God? (Luke 20:41-44)
82. Who can be said to be equal with God? (Philippians 2:5-7)
83. Jesus IS equal to God. (Philippians 2:5-7, John 14:3-10)
84. Who can claim the ownership of the church of the living God? (Matthew 16:18, Revelation 1:10-18)

Jesus said, I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the one Who lives and was dead, behold, I am alive forevermore. Jesus Christ is the Almighty God. Jesus Christ is the revelation of the Almighty God in the Holy Spirit as human flesh for man’s salvation, giving his spiritual children the right to the Heavenly Kingdom. To those who believe in Him, we are filled with His Holy Spirit for eternal spiritual life.

Example of How to Share with a Muslim

This article shows that Jesus is God and then gives resources to equip believers to be better able to preach the Gospel of His Kingdom.

Here is a sample dialogue:

Muslim: Shouldn’t Jesus really make it super clear, “I am God” or “I am the son of God”? It should be repeated. Why, throughout the text, does he say, “Son of man”?

Christian: Jesus did say ‘I am’ a number of times in a very significant way.

Jesus used the term ‘I am’ in the way that it is used in the Old Testament of Yahweh (יהוה‎).

In John 8:58, he said, ‘Before Abraham was, I am’. ‘I am’ is the name God gave Himself when He met Moses at the burning bush.

The Jews picked up stones to stone him (v. 59). Why were they stoning a man who was just proclaiming to be a prophet? No, it was because he was proclaiming a divine name.

Jesus used that very same phrase when the soldiers came to arrest Him in John 18; and when He said, ‘I am,’ the soldiers fell back upon the ground.

When He uttered those words, and in John 13:19 He quoted directly from Isaiah 43:10, God identifies Himself as the I AM of Himself.

And while the Bible does say Jesus was a prophet, that’s not all it says Jesus was. He is prophet, He is priest, He is king, He is the Son of God, and ‘Son of Man’ is a divine title.

Remember in Mark chapter 14 during the trial of Jesus: what happens when Jesus quotes from Psalm 110 and Daniel 7? It says, “You’ll see the son of man.”

Then what does the high priest do? He tears his robes and says, “You’ve heard the blasphemy!”

What further need do we have of witnesses?

Why? Because when you go to Daniel 7, the Son of Man is worshipped in the highest form of worship.

I pray this blesses you, and in turn, you will be a blessing to others as you proclaim Jesus boldly day by day.