Who was Jesus of Nazareth? For nearly two thousand years, the world has debated this question. Some say He was a prophet. Some think He was a madman. Still others think He was a great teacher. But for those who recognize His voice, the question is not ‘Who was Jesus of Nazareth?,’ but rather ‘Who is Jesus of Nazareth?’ Because unlike other men of history, Jesus of Nazareth was, is, and will be for all of eternity.

A careful examination of the historical record reveals that Jesus of Nazareth is nothing less than the Word of God dwelling as flesh among men. The Holy Spirit of God became a man and walked among us:

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

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 (KJV)

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9 (KJV)

While most of the world’s people desperately search for truth – to become closer to God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe – the door is wide open for them to experience a personal relationship with that same God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His name is Jesus of Nazareth.

But don’t take my word for it. God has a number of identifiable character traits. If Jesus of Nazareth is worthy of the title of God Almighty and Lord of Heaven’s Armies, then the historical account of His life will reveal that He shared these unique traits. Let’s examine them.

Omniscient (All-Knowing)

The definition of God requires Him to be all-knowing. God must have knowledge of all things, including the thoughts of others. Did Jesus exhibit this character trait? Yes. He did.

History reveals a number of instances in which Jesus displayed His omniscience. Here, we’ll examine a few.

The Coin In The Fish – Jesus illustrated His knowledge of the future, as well as His knowledge of the most minute details of creation when He revealed to His disciples that they were to catch a fish, open its mouth, and find a large silver coin inside:

“Go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money.” Matthew 17:27 (KJV)

The Samaritan Woman – Upon meeting a Samaritan woman, Jesus told her everything she had ever done. His knowledge was enough to convince her that He was the Messiah, and His words were enough to convince many in her town that He is the Living Son of God:

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did” John 4:39 (KJV)

“You Know Everything” – The disciples, who spent more time with Jesus during His earthly ministry than anyone else, testified that He knows everything – the very definition of omniscience:

“Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.” John 16:30 (KJV)

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” John 21:17 (KJV)

12-Year Old Jesus In The Temple – As a young boy, Jesus and His family made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. While there, Jesus amazed the Jewish religious teachers with His understanding:

“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” Luke 2:46-47 (KJV)

“How Does He Know All This?” – Jesus taught in the Temple, and the people were amazed at the depth of His knowledge, since He was not a man educated and trained by men:

“Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” John 7:14-15 (KJV)

“One Of You Will Betray Me” – Jesus had fore-knowledge of His betrayal. He knew that one of the most trusted members of His inner-circle would betray Him:

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70-71 (KJV)

Jesus Knew Of His Death – Jesus had full knowledge of His purpose in coming into the world. He knew what would happen to Him, the hands by which it would happen, and the miraculous event which would take place three days later:

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21 (KJV)

Omnipotent (All-Powerful)

A second character trait of God is omnipotence. By definition, God is all-powerful. He has power over all things. Did Jesus of Nazareth exhibit this character trait? History reveals that He did.

The Power To Forgive Sin – According to the Old Testament, only God has the power to forgive sins. And the Prophet Jeremiah prophesied of the day when God will forgive men of their wickedness and never again remember their sins:

“For they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 (KJV)

Yet, in spite of His knowledge that only God can forgive sins, Jesus clearly announced His own power to forgive sins, thus revealing Himself as God:

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2:5-7 (KJV)

Power To Lay Down His Life – Throughout history, men and woman have died. Despite the immense power some of these individuals wielded, not a single one of them displayed the power to come back to life once dead. Yet Jesus claimed to have this power:

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” John 10:17-18 (KJV)

Three days and three nights after His crucifixion, Jesus of Nazareth exhibited this power.

Power Over Wind and Waves – Like one would expect of God, Jesus of Nazareth had power over wind and waves:

“Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:24-25 (KJV)

Power Over Fish – Similar to His power of the wind and waves, Jesus illustrated His power over all of creation by commanding the very movements of fish:

“And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” John 21:6 (KJV)

His Breath Blew Down Soldiers – The Roman Army is known throughout human history as one of the most ruthless and powerful fighting forces the world has ever known. Yet, Jesus of Nazareth cast Roman soldiers to the ground with the very breath of His mouth:

“As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” John 18:6 (KJV)

Power over Physical Realm

In addition, the miracles of Jesus testify to His identity. They proclaim His power over the physical universe:

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” Mark 1:40-42 (KJV)

“And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.” Matthew 9:27-30 (KJV)

“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.” John 5:5-9 (KJV)

“And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.” Mark 6:48-49 (KJV)

And Jesus performed many other miracles which required power over the physical universe, far too many to be examined here.

Omnipresent (Ever-Present)

By definition, God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at all times. He exists in all places in the past, present, and future. Can this be said of Jesus? Did Jesus of Nazareth really exhibit this character trait? Yes. He did.

“I Saw You Under The Fig Tree” – Upon first meeting Nathanael, Jesus proclaimed that He saw him under the fig tree earlier that day. His statement mesmerized Nathanael, who recognized this as knowledge that no other man could have. But Jesus was there. As the omnipresent Spirit of God, He was present when Nathanael was under the fig tree:

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:47-49 (KJV)

The Holy Spirit – God is Spirit, and the Spirit of God became flesh in the name of Jesus of Nazareth:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5 (KJV)

Be With You Always – Reminding them of His omnipresence, Jesus assured His disciples He would always be with them, even to the end of the age:

“And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

This unique ability to be present with each individual (not just the twelve disciples, but all who believe in Him), at all times throughout history, is demonstrative of the omnipresence of Jesus.

Him Who Fills All – In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul testifies that Jesus “fills all things everywhere with himself”:

“Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:23 (KJV)

Eternal

Yet another characteristic of God is His eternal nature. God is not bound by time or death. He is the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega. According to the Old Testament, there is no other God:

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6 (KJV)

Does this character trait describe Jesus of Nazareth? The Apostle John testified yes:

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.” Revelation 1:17 (KJV)

What Did Jesus Say?

So far, we’ve examined the evidence as recorded by the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament witnesses. But what did Jesus Himself have to say about this subject? If were truly the righteous religious teacher and holy man many claim Him to be, would He call Himself God if to do so were false? Of course not. Yet this is exactly what Jesus claimed. On many occasions, He unequivocally stated that He is God Almighty.

The Father and I Are One – Jesus Himself claimed to be equal with God:

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

Before Abraham, I AM – According to the Old Testament, when Moses requested to the know the name of God, the Almighty replied “I AM”:

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:13-14 (KJV)

In answering His critics, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be “I AM”:

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58 (KJV)

“Philip, Don’t You Know Me?” – When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus plainly told Him he had already seen the Father. To look upon Jesus, is to look upon the Father:

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 14:9 (KJV)

You Will See the Son of Man in the Clouds of Heaven – While standing before the High Priest to be interrogated, Jesus was asked who He was. No one with knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures can mistake His response:

“Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 (KJV)

By claiming they would see Him seated in the place of power at God’s right hand, Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be the Lord of the Old Testament:

“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1 (KJV)

By claiming they would see Him coming on the clouds of heaven, Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be the One whose rule is eternal:

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)

Jesus proclaimed Himself to be none other than God Himself.

Accepts Worship From Others Without Rebuke – In addition to His statements, what Jesus didn’t say has a lot to say about His identity. For example, Jesus clearly stated a person must only worship God:

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10 (KJV)

Yet, when people worshipped Jesus or fell down at His feet or called Him Lord, He did not rebuke them. He did not respond to them by saying, “I’m only a man. Don’t worship me.” Instead, He perpetuated the notion that He should be honored like God the Father:

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:22-23 (KJV)

The following examples show Jesus accepting this high praise and honor:

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:28-29 (KJV)

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 (KJV)

“Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.” Matthew 15:25 (KJV)

“And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” Matthew 28:9 (KJV)

“And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” John 9:38 (KJV)

In each of these instance, human beings gave Jesus praise, honor, and titles worthy of God alone. And He gladly accepted their praise.

What Did God Almighty Say?

If Jesus were the only witness of His divinity, then He shouldn’t be believed. But He’s not the only witness. His Father in heaven also testified to the identity of Jesus of Nazareth:

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 (KJV)

I Will Share My Glory With No One

The Old Testament clearly documents God’s intention to share His glory with no one else:

“I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8 (KJV)

In fact, one of the ten commandments outlaws worship of false gods:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (KJV)

If God will not share His glory with anyone else, then by definition, Jesus of Nazareth can not share in His glory. Unless, of course, Jesus and God are one and the same. And this is the position put forth by the Creator of the Universe:

God’s Voice Speaks

God testified before men that He would bring glory to the name of Jesus:

“Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:28 (KJV)

And Jesus spoke of the glory they share:

“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:5 (KJV)

Following the birth of Jesus, a host of angels praised God in full sight of men, thus giving glory to Jesus:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)

John also testifies to the glory of Jesus:

“And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (KJV)

It’s the same glory God proclaimed He would give to His son in the Old Testament:

“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Psalm 2:7 (KJV)

How could God glorify Jesus, and stay true to His word to never give His glory to anyone else, unless giving glory to Jesus is the same as giving glory to God?

Conclusion

The characteristics of God, all shared by Jesus of Nazareth, reflect the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy – a promise to the world. God promised a sign, that a virgin would conceive a child, a boy whose name means ‘God is with us,’ meaning He would be God in the flesh:

“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 7:14 (KJV)

This prophecy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth:

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:20-23 (KJV)

Yet, despite this miraculous sign, and the miraculous life which followed, most of the world has failed to recognize the Creator among them.

They Did Not Recognize Him

This is the message of the Gospel of John. God came into the world in human form, yet the very world He created failed to recognize Him:

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:10 (KJV)

Even those who lay claim to the wisdom of this world failed to recognize their own Creator:

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:8 (KJV)

Even many self-proclaimed Christians fail to recognize the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Christ, the Lord of lords, and King of kings. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Don’t repeat the mistakes of those who refuse to acknowledge the glory of Jesus of Nazareth. He is more than a holy man, a prophet, and a teacher. He is God among us.

Britt Gillette is founder of BrittGillette.Com, a website examining the relationship between bible prophecy and emerging trends in technology. For more information or to sign up for his email alerts, please visit http://www.brittgillette.com/.