Introducing Jesus
Christianity
derives its name from Christ. The disciples were called
"Christians" first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). This was because the
message to which they were converted was the message of Jesus">
Introducing
Jesus
Christianity
derives its name from Christ. The disciples were called
"Christians" first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). This was because the
message to which they were converted was the message of Jesus, his death, his
resurrection, and his lordship. King Agrippa was almost, but not quite,
persuaded to be a Christian (Acts 26:28). Peter says that we should
glorify God as we wear the name "Christian," (1 Peter 4:16).
Since Christ is the foundation of the church, it is absolutely vital that we
have a clear understanding of who Jesus is. In fact, we must come to faith
in Jesus before we can become legitimate Christians. So, who is Jesus
Christ according to the Bible?
First, Christ is divine. He is God (John 1:1). As God, he shares in
all of the qualities of deity. He had no beginning, for he is eternal
(John 8:58). He is not created, but Creator (John 1:2-3; Colossians
1:16-17; Hebrews 1:8-12). He existed in eternity, in all respects equal with the
Father (Philippians 2:5-6 ). He is, like the Father, worthy of our worship
and praise (Revelation 5:11-14). Christ is divine.
Next, the eternal divine Christ became flesh and lived among us in human history
(John 1:4). The incarnation or "infleshment" of the divine
Christ is a great mystery. He did not simply clothe himself with flesh,
but he became flesh. He was placed in the womb of Mary, a purely human
girl, by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:30-35). He emptied himself of his
equality with God and took upon himself the form of a servant, becoming a man of
humble circumstances. As a human being, he divested himself of many of his
divine prerogatives. He was subject to sickness and fatigue. He
became weak, limited, and subject to the temptations of the flesh. He was
tempted in every way that any of us are tempted, yet he never sinned Hebrews
4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 4:1-11). He suffered greatly in the
flesh, and struggled mightily against sin, but he submitted his will to the will
of God (Hebrews 5:7-9). It was in his fleshly life that he became the
example for all of us. It was also as a human being that he became our
perfect sacrifice. As both God and man, he is the one mediator between
holy God and fallen man (Timothy 2:5). The incarnation is an historical
event, confirmed by sources even outside the Bible. The incarnation is the
decisive inbreaking of God into human history (Philippians 2:5-8). It is
THE EVENT of all time. To deny the incarnation is to reject Christianity
at its foundation (1 John 4:1-3).
The Bible does not present Christ as simply a great teacher, or a prophet, or
just a great man. The Bible presents Jesus as God, the eternal Creator,
who became flesh for a short period of time in order to teach us, to show us how
to live a godly life, and to atone for sin by the sacrifice of himself. An
acknowledgement of these basic truths is prerequisite to becoming a Christian (1
John 4:15; 1 Timothy 6:12-16; 1 John 5:1).
Jesus Christ is Lord (Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-11). When he was raised
from the dead, he assumed the highest position of authority in the universe
(Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:19-21). His Lordship is the fundamental truth
of Christianity which compels all people to obey Him (Acts 2:36).
Jesus is God. Jesus became flesh. Jesus is Lord. Everyone who
would truly be a Christian must accept these things. These facts are the
foundation of Christianity. Who
is Jesus? Part 2
The question, "Who is Jesus?" is the fundamental question of
Christianity. Jesus asked his disciples one day, "Who do men say that
I am?" They reported various opinions from John the Baptist, to a
reincarnation of Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Jesus then ask,
"Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God!" Jesus pronounced him blessed for
that answer and said, "Upon this rock I will build my church."
The church is built upon the fact that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:13-19).
To say that Jesus is the Christ is to say that he is God's anointed king.
He is the designated ruler over God's kingdom. All who would be part of
that kingdom must submit to his rule (Psalm 2). Jesus' rule is an
extension of the sovereignty of God.
Practically speaking, to say that Jesus is the Christ is the same thing as
saying that Jesus is Lord. "Lord" or Kurios means ruler
or master. It was the term applied to the Roman Caesars. Jesus'
lordship was confirmed at his resurrection, after which he claimed to have all
authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11). It
was at his resurrection that Jesus assumed his position as king over the kingdom
of God (Acts 2:29-36).
The fact that Jesus is the Christ, God's anointed king, and that Jesus is Lord,
master, or ruler, is the essence of what we must confess before we become a
Christian. This confession is called "the good confession" (1
Timothy 6:12). It is stated in different terms in different places in the
New Testament, but its basic meaning is always the same (Romans 10:9;
Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:15; John 1:49). It always boils down to a
personal acknowledgement of the position of Christ and a personal submission to
that position. Have you truly confessed Jesus as Lord? This is very
different than asking if you attend church from time to time. This
question asks whether you are really submitting to the will of Jesus in your
daily life (Luke 6:46).
Not only is Jesus our Lord, but Jesus is also our Savior. The New
Testament emphasizes this role as much as any other. The death of Christ
is central material in each of the gospels, presented as a fulfillment of the
prophecies of the Old Testament. The fact that his death was the
preplanned will of God is asserted over and over (Mark 8:31; 9:12; 10:33-34).
The fact that Jesus was completely innocent is asserted over and over (John
18:38; 19:6). Like the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament, Jesus is
seen as the spotless Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world (John
1:29; 1 Peter 1:18). His sinless sacrifice was a once for all time
sacrifice that forever satisfied the justice of God for all who will trust in
him (Hebrews 10:1-14; Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 1:1-2; Isaiah 53:10-11). The
death of the sinless Jesus enabled him to be our Savior. It enabled him to
rescue us from sin and from the wrath of God which is to be poured out on
all sinners (Romans 5:6-11).
Jesus is the Savior of all for whom Jesus is Lord. We cannot have one
without the other. He rescues those who submit to his rule in trusting
obedience. He graciously forgives and saves those who truly seek to do his
will. Everyone wants a Savior, but not everyone wants a Lord. Are
you willing to submit your life to the will of Jesus as it is revealed in
Scripture so that you can have Jesus as both Lord and Savior?
