What evidence is there that Jesus is God?

The New Testament presents Jesus as more than a teacher or prophet. He spoke with God’s authority, forgave sins, accepted worship and described himself as having a unique relationship with God the Father.

The Gospels also describe Jesus healing the sick, performing miracles and showing authority over nature, evil and death. Christians believe that these acts support his claim to be divine.

The strongest evidence for Christians is the resurrection. Jesus’ followers said that they saw him alive after his crucifixion. Their conviction transformed them from frightened disciples into people who publicly proclaimed that Jesus had risen and was Lord, despite the risk of persecution and death.

Paul had opposed the first Christians, but became a follower of Jesus after an encounter which he understood to be with the risen Christ. His letters show that belief in Jesus as divine was already central to Christianity in its earliest years.