Most clearly and shockingly of all, he invited crucifixion (or stoning) by saying: “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58). Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad and other religious founders fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and did not rise from the dead. Lao Tzu taught the way (tao) Jesus said, “ I am the way” (Jn 14:6). Buddha said, “ Look not to me look to my dharma (doctrine).” Buddha also said, “ Be ye lamps unto yourselves.” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12). Jesus kept pointing people to himself, saying, “Come to me” (Mt 11:28). An orthodox Jew who got his name legally changed was excommunicated. In the Old Testament, only God changed names-and destinies: Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel. For a Jew, changing names was something only God could do, for your name was not just a human, arbitrary label, but your real identity, which was given to you by God alone. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (Jn 1:42). Meanwhile, he gave us his flesh to eat and said that this would give us eternal life (Jn 6:51). He said he had come from heaven, not just earth, and that he would return again from heaven at the end of the world to judge everyone (Mt 25:31-46). Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (Jn 11:25). He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Jesus claimed to save us from sin and death. I have a right to forgive you for your sins against me, but not for your sins against others.
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The only one who has the right to forgive all sins is the only one who is offended in all sins, namely, God.
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The Jews protested: “ Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Lk 5:21). He claimed to forgive sins-all sins, against everyone. He also claimed to be sinless: “ Which of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn 8:46). Jesus called God his Father: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30) and “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). A son is of the same nature, the same species, the same essence, as his father. Jesus called himself the “Son of God”-that is, of the same nature as God. Home › Defending the Faith › Jesus called himself the “Son of God”