Posted by Michael on October 19, 2012 at 22:26:36:
In Reply to: Basic fundamentals posted by Michael on June 02, 2012 at 13:01:40:
John 8:58: Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM." ("Verily, verily" is also translated as "I tell you the truth", in other words Jesus confirms it before He says it. He often did this.)
This is a significant verse in the Gospel, because here Jesus leaves no doubt as to who He claims to be. He refers to Himself as 'I AM'. When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, He also identified Himself as "I AM." The Pharisees realized this all too well, as their immediate response to this statement was an attempt to stone Jesus. According to them He committed blasphemy.
If God is I AM, and Jesus is also I AM, then they must be of the same substance. Therefore, Jesus claimed to be God. This penny dropped instantaneously for the Pharisees. For others it takes a bit longer.
No amount of prophets, spirits or visions can take away the historical fact that Jesus claimed to be God.