The Bible clearly establishes that God alone has the power to give life and to take it away, asserting His ultimate authority over all creation, including life and death. #### God Alone Controls Life In [Deuteronomy 32:39](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.32.39), God declares, "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand." This is echoed in [1 Samuel 2:6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1SA.2.6), which states, "The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up." [Job 14:5](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JOB.14.5) further emphasizes God's control over human life: "Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass." [Psalm 68:20](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.68.20) proclaims, "Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death." Even the NT, affirms that God is the giver of life ([Acts 17:25](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.17.25)): "Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." [Romans 8:11](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.8.11) also speaks to His life-giving power: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." These verses collectively show that God alone holds the power over life and death, reinforcing His sovereign authority over all creation. #### Jesus Controls Life The New Testament reveals that Jesus claims the same authority over life and death, which would be contradictory if He were not God. While Paul ([Romans 8:11](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.8.11)) says it was God that raised Jesus from the dead, Jesus himself says it was His own power that raised him. > [!bible]+ [John 10:17-18 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/43/10/) > 17. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” %% #John %% Jesus declares this several times thoughout the Gospels. > [!bible]+ [John 2:19-22 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/43/2/) > 19. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20. The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21. But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. %% #John %% This statement, referring to His own body, foreshadows His resurrection, demonstrating His power over life and death. In fact, [Acts 3:15](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.3.15) refers to Jesus as "the Author of life" . Jesus would later claim to be the one that judge the living and the dead ([John 5:28-29](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.5.28-29)). It can not be simply that the Father gave Jesus the authority, because later Jesus proclaims; > [!bible]+ [John 11:25-26 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/43/11/) > 25. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26. and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” %% #John %% Jesus doubles down in Revelations stating he controls life and death itself; > [!bible]+ [Revelation 1:17-18 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/66/1/) > 17. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18. and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. %% #Revelation %% Not only does Jesus take the claim of controlling life, He directly quotes the Old Testament, specifically [Deuteronomy 32:39](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.32.39), where God proclaims no one can take from his hand and changes it to be about those that believe in Him: > [!bible]+ [John 10:28 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/43/10/) > 28. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. %% #John %% These passages make it clear: Jesus not only claims the power to raise the dead but also identifies Himself as the source of life. This is a direct assertion of His divine status. If Jesus were not God, these claims would be contradictory or even blasphemy, as the Old Testament clearly states that God alone has the power over life and death. Therefore, the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus having authority over life and death undeniably supports the belief in His divinity.