It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of the question above. It’s crucial to answer it correctly — and even more crucial to live accordingly!
In Superheroes Can’t Save You, my good friend Todd Miles identifies and decimates a few historic bad answers (heresies).
Who Jesus Christ Is Not
1. Jesus was not God in disguise (Docetism). Think Superman. Jesus was not a superlative man, period (Liberalism). Think Batman.
2. Jesus was not one of three modes of God (Modalism). Think Hank Pym and his alter egos: Ant-Man, Giant-Man, and Yellowjacket.
3. Jesus was not created by God (Arianism). Think Thor. Jesus was not a good man adopted by God (Adoptionism). Think Green Lantern.
4. Jesus did not have a divine mind in a human body (Apollinarianism). Think the Hulk.
5. Jesus was not part man and part God (Eutychianism). Think Spider-Man.
That’s not all...
Who Else Jesus Christ Is Not
1. Jesus is not one of many, many gods. Sorry, Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), Hindus, and others who believe in untold thousands and millions of gods.
2. Jesus is not who you want Him to be. Sorry, pick-and-choose-reality doesn’t work...no matter how badly you want the universe to revolve around your wishes, thoughts, and desires.
3. Jesus is not who some scholars say He is. Sorry, you can’t believe everything you watch, hear, and read.
4. Jesus is not a fairy tale. Sorry, He is not the hero of some great stories that we tell children with a smile and wink.
5. Jesus is not nice. Ever wonder if maybe, just maybe, we might be missing the point of the Jesus stories that make us cringe?
Now for the good stuff...
Who Jesus Christ Is
The Bible says Jesus is God’s Son, the Son of God, equal with God, and fully God. Jesus is a member of what we call the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is infinite and eternal.
Jesus made all things, by Him all things exist, and God the Father has put all things under Him (John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 1:19; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 13:8; 2 Peter 1:3).
God’s Word says Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. He is the snake-Crusher (Genesis 3:15). He is the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8; Galatians 3:16). He is the Prophet foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).
He is the Righteous Branch on David’s throne (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:14-26). He is the glorious Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). He is the fulfiller of all the other prophecies about the Coming One.
The Bible says Jesus is the Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer. He died on a Roman cross — a horrific way to die. He died for us and for our sins, and not just for our sins, but for the sins of the world (Titus 2:14; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). Truly, He “is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
God’s Word, Jesus, is the Victor, Overcomer, Conqueror. He physically rose from the grave, having defeated sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16).
Biblical Truths to Affirm
I believe Jesus created all that is (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:5; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2). I believe Jesus came to earth and lived here for more than 30 years (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:7; Luke 3:23; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14).
I believe Jesus is eternally and fully God and that more than two thousand years ago he became fully human, too (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 1:1).
I believe Jesus performed many great miracles while here on earth (Matthew 8:3; Mark 3:8; Luke 19:37; John 2:23; John 12:37). I believe Jesus proclaimed Good News to humanity (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 11:5; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:18; Luke 4:43; Luke 20:1).
I believe Jesus was crucified on the cross in my place for my sins (Isaiah 53:8; Isaiah 53:12; Mark 10:45; Romans 4:23-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 1 Peter 2:24). I believe Jesus forgives the sins of all who trust Him (Mark 2:3-12; John 5:24; Acts 10:43; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:22-26; Romans 5:6-12; Galatians 3:11; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 10:38; 1 John 4:10).
I believe Jesus offers eternal life to any who trust Him (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; John 14:6; John 20:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 5:12-13).
I believe Jesus gives the right to become children of God to all who trust Him (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 2:10; 1 John 3:1).
I believe Jesus is coming back to earth one day (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:10; 1 John 3:2).
Did You Know?
Jesus and His apostles repeatedly urge all Christians to watch for His second coming on the clouds of heaven. This is sometimes called the climax of history. Don’t forget! (Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Matthew 28:18; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14).
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