(4 minute read)
“Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
And they answered, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’
He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
— Matthew 16:13–16
Be Careful Who People Say Jesus Is and How They Explain Salvation
Many religions distort who Jesus is and how salvation works.
Some claim Jesus was:
- A revered prophet or messenger of God
- Not the incarnate Son of God
- Not part of the trinity
- A historical figure, teacher, or rabbi
- A created spirit being (not eternal)
- The “spirit brother” of Satan
- A divine messenger
- God’s first “creation”
- Not a co-equal with God
- Died on a stake and not the cross
- A manifestation of God but not God Himself
- An enlightened teacher, ascended master, or spiritual guide
Or, they have no view of Jesus at all.
All wrong.
Not biblical.
False gospel.
Do not be deceived. So many people are.
Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
Read Colossians 1:13-20 – The Incomparable Christ
Peter’s bold declaration still stands as the ultimate answer:
“He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus is:
- Lord — the one true, sovereign God with all authority in heaven and on earth
- The One who willfully died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind
- The One who rose from the dead to conquer sin and death and grant eternal life to all who repent and put their faith and trust in Him
The Deity of Jesus Christ
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
- The Word (Christ) was God Himself.
- John saw Christ’s return as the Warrior-Messiah-King whose name is The Word of God and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:13 – Revelation 19:16). In this phrase, “God” appears first in the Greek word order, emphasizing the fact that “the Word” (Christ) was God—so “God Himself.” Jesus is God!
- “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14)
Jesus is:
The only sinless human who could meet God’s justice and pay for sin (1 Peter 3:18)
The Christ — the Messiah, the Anointed One (Matthew 16:16)
God incarnate — the fullness of deity in human form (Colossians 2:9)
Both God and man, truly divine and truly human (John 1:14)
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35) (Matthew 1:23)
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
John the Baptist is referring to the fulfillment of the need for the Old Testament Passover lambs which was now fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice, the ultimate and final sacrifice for sins.
Jesus made it perfectly clear when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
When He said “I am the way”… He was saying He is THE way for those who are lost. He is the ONE way, the ONLY way to salvation. Without Him you remain “lost” and condemned.
When He said “I am the truth”… He was saying He is the divine incarnate Word of God, the deity of God in human form, truly God and truly man, the source of all “Truth” which is absolute, unchanging and indisputable.
And when He said “I am the life”… He was saying that He has “overcome the world” (John 16:33) through His substitutional death and victorious resurrection. He has conquered death, and through repentance, faith, and trust in Him, you too will share in that victory over death.”
The Savior, Jesus Christ, described so powerfully by the prophet Isaiah, has appeared with the offer of salvation for all. Ultimately, in God’s own time, Jesus will return to earth and then all things truly will be set right. (from Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6). Isaiah prophesized the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus over 700 years before they happened.
Surrender to Christ today, repent and put your faith and trust in Him.
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God, fully God—just as the Father and the Son are fully God. He is the Father’s agent in the miracle of salvation and regeneration, leading you through every aspect of your transformation. The Holy Spirit’s mission is always to point us to Christ.
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