MUSLIMS DO NOT WORSHIP THE GOD OF ABRAHAM

MUSLIMS DO NOT WORSHIP THE GOD OF ABRAHAM:

THE GOD OF ABRAHAM IS JESUS CHRIST

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba

Introduction

One of the most common claims made in modern interfaith dialogue is that Christians and Muslims worship the same God because both religions claim Abraham as their spiritual father. However, this assertion must be examined in light of biblical revelation. According to Scripture, the God of Abraham revealed Himself fully in Jesus Christ. Since Islam explicitly denies the deity of Christ, the question arises: can Muslims truly worship the God of Abraham while rejecting the very One whom Abraham knew and anticipated?

The Bible presents a clear answer. The God of Abraham is Jesus Christ, and any religious system that denies Christ's divine identity cannot claim to worship the biblical God of Abraham.

Abraham Rejoiced to See Christ

Jesus declared:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56)

This remarkable statement teaches that Abraham had a prophetic understanding of the coming Messiah. Abraham looked forward to Christ's day and rejoiced in it. Jesus did not portray Himself as a prophet who merely followed Abraham; rather, He presented Himself as the object of Abraham's faith.

The Jews listening to Jesus were astonished because Jesus was not yet fifty years old, yet He claimed to have existed before Abraham.

Jesus answered:

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

This statement is one of the strongest declarations of Christ's deity in the New Testament.

The Meaning of "I AM"

Jesus did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was.” Instead, He used the divine title “I AM.”

In Exodus 3:14, God revealed Himself to Moses:

“I AM THAT I AM.”

The Greek expression used in John 8:58 (ego eimi) echoes the divine name revealed to Moses. The Jewish audience immediately understood the significance of Christ's words because they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy (John 8:59).

Jesus was claiming eternal existence and divine identity.

Therefore, the God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush is the same divine Person who stood before the Jews in Jerusalem.

Abraham Encountered the LORD

The Old Testament records several appearances of God to Abraham.

Genesis 18 states:

“And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre.”

Abraham spoke directly with the LORD, ate with Him, and worshiped Him. Christian theology has historically understood these appearances as pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ, often called Christophanies.

Jesus Himself said:

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son... he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)

Thus, the visible manifestations of God in the Old Testament point to the eternal Son.

Jesus Declared That He Is the Only Way to the Father

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

If no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ, then any religion that rejects Jesus as God and Savior cannot possess the full knowledge of the Father.

The Apostle John wrote:

“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.” (1 John 2:23)

This is a decisive biblical statement. One cannot reject the Son and still claim to know the Father.

The Islamic View of Jesus

Islam acknowledges Jesus as a prophet but denies His deity, crucifixion, sonship, and resurrection. The Quran specifically rejects the belief that Jesus is God.

However, the New Testament repeatedly affirms:

• Jesus is God (John 1:1).

• Jesus is the Creator (Colossians 1:16).

• Jesus is worshiped (Matthew 14:33).

• Jesus forgives sins (Mark 2:5–7).

• Jesus receives divine titles (Revelation 1:8).

• Jesus is called "God" by Thomas (John 20:28).

Because Islam rejects these essential truths, it rejects the identity of the God revealed in Scripture.

Abraham's Faith Was Christ-Centered

Paul wrote:

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham.” (Galatians 3:8)

The gospel was announced beforehand to Abraham. His faith pointed forward to Christ.

Jesus declared:

“Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56)

Abraham's hope was centered on the coming Messiah.

The Testimony of the Apostles

The apostles consistently taught that Jesus is the God of Israel.

Thomas confessed:

“My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

Paul wrote:

“Christ... who is over all, God blessed for ever.” (Romans 9:5)

Titus 2:13 calls Jesus:

“Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The biblical revelation leaves no room for a concept of God that excludes Christ.

Conclusion

The God of Abraham revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Jesus declared:

“Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)

Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, believed God's promises, and looked forward to the coming Messiah. The New Testament teaches that whoever denies the Son does not have the Father.

Therefore, from a biblical and Christian theological perspective, the rejection of Jesus as God means a rejection of the God whom Abraham worshiped. The God of Abraham is the eternal "I AM" revealed in Jesus Christ.

As Jesus Himself said:

“If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

The central issue is not merely Abraham, but the identity of Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, Jesus is the Lord of Abraham, the God of Israel, and the eternal I AM.

Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute