Some say Jesus Christ was just a great teacher. But He was and is much more than that. He was both God’s Son (John 3:16) and God Himself—God in human flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). Yes, He was fully man, but He was also fully God (Colossians 2:9). 

***Why We Believe Jesus is God? Three main reasons:

#1.Jesus' life began with a miraculous birth. Prophecies predicted the virgin-born Son of God long before the coming of Jesus Christ...

Isaiah (a Hebrew prophet) predicted the coming of Jesus Christ to salvage mankind from sin. Isaiah lived about 750 BC (750 years Before the birth of Jesus Christ). Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel".  Isaiah 9:6; “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

 Micah (one of the Twelve Minor Prophet) wrote the Book of Micah about 740 BC. Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" 

**Tại sao chúng ta tin Chúa Giê-xu là Đức Chúa Trời? 3 lý do chính:

#2.Jesus lived a sinless, virtuous and miraculous life. His claims and his teachings proved that he a Son Of God...

Jesus' life was marked by miracles from the beginning. He was born of a virgin, He turned water into wine, He walked on water, He quieted the storm... He healed all manner of sicknesses among all kinds of people, cast out demons and even raised the dead to life again...  

Jesus pointed to the miracles as proof of who He was. "The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me, If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him" (John 10:37-38). He healed one paralyzed man with the accompanying words, "Son, your sins are forgiven you" (Mark 2:5). He explained to those gathered there that He had healed the man "that you may know that the Son of Man has power [authority] on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7).

On another occasion He said, "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). Jesus wanted them to know that they were dealing with a person who was empowered by the Spirit of God, representing the very Kingdom of God. Further, Jesus said He has the power to answer prayers (John 14:13-14), and He will be with His followers always (Matthew 28:20).

#3.He died a sacrificial death. He rose from the dead, becoming the “first fruits” of those resurrected for eternity. 

The Bible references to Jesus' suffering and sacrificial death in:

The Old Testament: "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ( Isaiah 53: 3). "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; ... the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (53: 4-5). 

After the death of Jesus, one of the guards pierced His side with a spear, thereby fulfilling the words of Zechariah 12: 10: "... then they will look on Me whom they pierced." 

The New Testament: The gospels tell us how the Lord announced His suffering and death, as well as His resurrection, on various occasions. A few examples are mentioned here:

• After Peter's confession to Jesus: "[You are] the Christ of God", the Lord revealed to His disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day" (Luke 9: 22).
• Shortly after the events on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus taught His disciples: "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day" (Mark 9: 31).
• Before entering Jerusalem, the Lord turned to the Twelve and said: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again" (Matthew 20: 18-19).
• When the scribes and Pharisees wanted to see signs, Jesus pointed to the story of the prophet Jonah: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12: 40).
• He made a similar reference at the cleansing of the temple: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2: 19). Only after His resurrection did it become clear to His disciples that Jesus Christ had thereby been referring to the temple of His body (John 2: 21-22).

The true historical record of Jesus shows that his physical life here on earth began with an intervention of divine will superimposing its power over natural law—that of a virgin conceiving and bearing a Son. The story of the Gospels ends in the same way—with the divine power extended to resurrect Jesus back to life. His entire life was a miracle from beginning to end.

***Proof/Analyzing Jesus’ Claim to Be God:The Virgin Birth, The Miracles and The Death/Resurrection

A. The Virgin Birth:

If Christ was also God, then he cannot have been born purely of humans, so his incarnation as a man must have been via a virgin.

The Old testament: Prophet predicted

The New testament: Angels appeared to Joseph & Mary in their dreams. 

***CONSIDER: People find it reasonable to believe Jesus' immaculate conception is the reality of the supernatural. If our God is the Creator of the entire Universe, nothing is impossible with him.

** Bằng chứng? Phân tích lời tuyên xưng mình là Đức Chúa Trời của Chúa Giê-su

B. The Miracles, The Teaching  & The Claims:

The Gospels record 37 miracles performed by Jesus which consisted of:

• Authority over incurable disease.
• Being able to heal without being physically present.
• Authority over nature.
• Authority over sins.
• Authority over life and death.
• Authority over the natural and supernatural realm.

The Miracles Were Done Publicly. Apostle Paul said:

In the New Testament authors are consistent and  in agreement in their description of Jesus performing miracles. We also noted that the first-century historian Josephus affirms that Jesus did spectacular works. There is no ancient testimony about Jesus anywhere that denies His miracles. Jesus’ miracles show us who He is. Miracles demonstrated the close relationship Jesus had with God, his Father.” Jesus said "Even though you do not believe me, believe the evidence of the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father."John 10:38. "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me."John 14:6 .

Jesus claimed to be God. It might be hard to understand how this could be true, but it’s important to remember that God is much bigger and more powerful than we can comprehend. We do know that Jesus said He existed before Abraham (John 8:58). He claimed that He and His Father are one (John 10:30), and that He is equal with the Father (John 5:17-18). Who else could claim these things except God?

C. The Death & The Resurrection:

Why did Jesus have to die? Why did Jesus have to shed His blood? At the time of Jesus:  "under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22)

 Man was created by God. Then, Man rebelled against God, living as if man has no law to live by. It would have been justice for God to destroy Man for our rebellion. Yet, because God is love, He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born in the likeness of sinful flesh and to offer up His perfect life as an atonement for sin. Only Jesus Is the Perfect Lamb of God and only through Him can our sins be forgiven, thus restoring our relationship with God. Jesus'sacrificial death was predicted in the Old Testament and was fulfilled in the New Testament:

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5 "And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth."Isaiah 53:9

As the Bible says: “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord"Romans 6:23  “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live"John 11:25 "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10) and "to give his life as a ransom for many" Matthew 20:28.

Jesus' death was by public execution on a cross. The accusation against Jesus was for claiming to be God. Jesus said it was to pay for our sin.

Jesus was lashed with a multi-cord whip having metal or bone fragmented ends. A mock crown of long thorns was beaten into his skull. They forced him to walk to an execution hill outside of Jerusalem. They put him on a wooden cross, nailing his wrists and feet to it. He hung there, eventually dying. A sword was thrust into his side to confirm his death.

The body of Jesus was taken from the cross, wrapped in mummy-like linens covered with gummy-wet spices. His body was placed in a solid rock tomb, where a very large boulder was rolled down to it, to secure the entrance.

Everyone knew that Jesus said he would rise from the dead in three days. So they stationed a guard of trained Roman soldiers (16) at the tomb. They also affixed an Official Roman Seal (if that seal was broken, it was death to the 16 soldiers) to the outside of the tomb declaring its government property.

Three days later, the tomb was empty: the boulder formerly sealing the tomb was found up a slope, some distance away from the tomb. The body was gone. Only the grave linens were found in the tomb. 

Historians agree that he was a remarkable teacher, who amazed people 2,000 years ago with miracles that they found it hard to explain. They also know that he was crucified in the most barbaric way imaginable, and that his followers were convinced that three days later he came back to life. Many of those disciples were themselves put to death, refusing to back down on those claims. Why would they do so unless they were convinced Jesus had been resurrected?

Modern archeology verifies that four biographies of Christ were written within the lifetime of people who saw, heard and followed Jesus. These gospel accounts contained specific facts and descriptions confirmed by those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus: Men and women will die for what they believe to be true, though it may actually be false. They do not, however, die for what they know is a lie.

What convinced them were the number of times that Jesus showed up, in person, in the flesh, and ate with them, and talked with them. Different locations, different times, to a variety of different people. Luke, one of the gospel writers, says of Jesus, "he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

Mary Magdalene

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:16-17)

Other Women (possibly Mary of Clopas, Mary the mother of James and Joanna)

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10)

Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. (Luke 24:13-43)

St. Peter (The First Time)

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34)

The Disciples (Without Thomas)

As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” (Luke 24:36)

The Disciples (With Thomas)

The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:26-29)

Seven Disciples

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. (John 21:1-2)

Five hundred Disciples

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:6)

St. James and the Apostles

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:7)

Before the Ascension

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53)

Jesus’ 12 disciples (with the exception of Judas, who betrayed Him and then took his own life) not only continued to believe in Him, but they spent the rest of their lives telling others about Him. They took seriously Jesus’ command to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Why did they do this—often in the face of fierce opposition and even death? The reason was because they believed beyond doubt that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, sent from Heaven to save us from our sins. And this is why those first Christians were willing to risk their lives to tell others about Christ. As one of them said when told to stop preaching, “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

The Ultimate Evidence: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ David Robertson  

1. Eyewitness accounts: The Gospel accounts are not written as mythical accounts. They are written as historical accounts that were dependent on witnesses and must be judged as such.

2. The Empty Tomb: You can try all manner of theories to explain away the empty tomb but none of them work except the most obvious. Christ is risen.

3.The Resurrection appearances: These are carefully listed. Christ appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, to more than 500 at one time, to James, at a meal before Pentecost and the Ascension. They were varied, physical, undramatic and unprecedented. It was the same Jesus but different. These were not collective hallucinations, or mass visions. That would be psychologically very difficult and still runs up against the problem of the empty tomb. They were not ghost appearances. I love the details for example in Luke 24:42-43: "They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence." Ghosts don't eat broiled fish. It was far more than a symbol. A symbol does not eat broiled fish.

***Bằng chứng tối thượng: 

Bằng chứng về sự sống lại đã được ghi lại nhiều lần bao gồm những điều sau đây:

 1. Lời kể của nhân chứng: Các câu chuyện Phúc âm không được viết như những câu chuyện thần thoại. Chúng được viết như những tài liệu lịch sử phụ thuộc vào nhân chứng và phải được đánh giá như vậy.

 2. Ngôi mộ trống: Bạn có thể thử mọi lý thuyết để giải thích ngôi mộ trống nhưng không có lý thuyết nào hiệu quả ngoại trừ lý thuyết rõ ràng nhất: Chúa Kitô đã sống lại.

 3. Những lần xuất hiện Phục Sinh: Những lần xuất hiện này được liệt kê cẩn thận. Chúa Kitô đã hiện ra với các môn đệ bên Biển hồ Galilê, với hơn 500 người cùng một lúc, với Giacôbê, tại bữa ăn trước Lễ Ngũ Tuần và Lễ Thăng Thiên...Sự xuất hiện rất đa dạng, thể chất, không kịch tính và chưa từng có. Đó là cùng một Chúa Giêsu nhưng khác nhau. Đây không phải là ảo giác tập thể hay tầm nhìn đại chúng. Điều đó sẽ rất khó khăn về mặt tâm lý và vẫn gặp phải vấn đề ngôi mộ trống. Sự Chúa xuất hiện không phải là sự xuất hiện của ma. Tôi thích những chi tiết chẳng hạn trong Lu-ca 24:42-43: “Họ đưa cho Ngài một miếng cá nướng, Ngài cầm lấy và ăn trước mặt họ”. Ma không ăn cá nướng. Xem (Ma-thi-ơ 28:8-10) (Mác 16:15) (Lu-ca 24:13-53) (Giăng 20:16-29, 21:1-2) (Công vụ 4:20) (1 Cô-rinh-tô 15:6-7 )

 4. Lời chứng của các Sứ đồ: Một câu hỏi quan trọng khác đối với tôi là các sứ đồ có nói dối không? Lòng người hay thay đổi, dễ thay đổi và dễ bị hối lộ. Họ bị đe dọa bỏ tù, tra tấn và tử hình, và tất cả sẽ bị mất. Họ đã sẵn sàng và đã chết vì niềm tin đó. Không phải vì họ cuồng tín hay ảo tưởng, mà vì đó là sự thật, và là sự thật, nó đã thay đổi mọi thứ kể cả cái chết của họ. Như một người trong số họ đã nói khi được yêu cầu ngừng rao giảng: “Về phần chúng tôi, chúng tôi không thể ngừng nói về những điều chúng tôi đã thấy và đã nghe” (Công vụ 4:20). Nếu Chúa Kitô không sống lại từ cõi chết và họ biết điều đó, thì toàn bộ trò chơi đã hoàn toàn thay đổi. 1 Cô-rinh-tô 15:17-19 nói: “Và nếu Đấng Christ đã không sống lại, thì đức tin anh em ra vô ích, anh em vẫn ở trong tội lỗi mình. Vậy thì những ai đã ngủ trong Đấng Christ đều hư mất. Lạy Chúa, chúng tôi đáng thương hơn hết mọi người.” David Robertson