Colossians 1: Jesus Is God

“¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” -Colossians 1:15-17

Genesis tells us that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In Colossians 1 (like John 1), we are told this creation happened through Christ. In making this claim, Jesus is not only God’s Son; he is God.

This distinction continues to define orthodox Christianity today. To be a Christian, you must believe Jesus is the divine Son of God who defeat death through his resurrection. Muslims believe in Jesus as a prophet; Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus as a created being. Eastern religions often view Jesus as an enlightened one.

Each of these notions hits part of who Jesus is, but not the main point–Jesus is God. Why? Only God could create the universe; Jesus created the universe. Only God has power over life and death; Jesus has power over life and death. Further, “in him all things hold together.” We have a God who created all and sustains all. If this is Jesus, this is God. No other explanations satisfies.

Jesus is God.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.