I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became man, died for sinners and rose from the dead.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
Hebrews 1:1-4
The Bible is filled with hundreds of stories with hundreds of people, a cast of major and minor characters. But no one is more important than Jesus. In fact, he stands centerstage, all the spotlights of the Bible pointing to him. The Old Testament anticipates Jesus, and the New Testament celebrates him.
The Central Belief of Jesus Christ affirms both his identity and his ministry. First, Jesus is the Son of God. He was more than just a good man; Jesus was the God-man. Jesus is God who came to earth to live among us. The deity of Jesus is confirmed throughout the Scriptures in key passages such as Philippians 2:5-11 and Hebrews 1:1-4. However, some of the most compelling evidence comes from Jesus himself.
First, Jesus said that he was God. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Several times, when Jesus expressed his deity, his hearers threatened to stone him—the Jewish penalty for making oneself equal with God (see John 8:58-59; Mark 14:61-64).
Second, Jesus believed he was God. He accepted worship from others (Matthew 9:18), claimed the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5), and announced that all judgment was given into his hands (John 5:22).
Someone can claim to be God and simply be lying, a charlatan out to take advantage of others. Someone could believe themselves to be God and simply be a lunatic, terribly deceived. But, Jesus went the distance and proved he was God. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, preached with heavenly authority, did not sin, and rose from the dead! The irrefutable proof of Jesus’ identity assures us that God’s Son came to live among us. And this confirmed identity of who Jesus was makes what Jesus did so incredible. God rescued sinners!
God loved the world so much that he sent his Son to bring us to himself. The love of God is shown in Jesus’ incarnation. That is, Jesus left his glorious place in heaven and stooped to become mere flesh and blood. He humbly became like us in order to take our place. God’s love continues in Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus carried the sins of the world and absorbed the wrath of God that each of us deserves. Finally, God’s love is revealed in Jesus’ resurrection—Jesus raised to new life, a guarantee that people can be born again into a new life with God.
The question everyone must ask is, “What will I do with Jesus?” If God has come to you, have you come to God? Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is an invitation to a personal and eternal relationship with the living God. We accept this invitation through faith—believing in who Jesus was and what Jesus did. Don’t turn another page without pausing to give Jesus your sin and receiving his gift of new life. Jesus, the Son of God, offers the only way to life with God forever (John 14:6).
PRAYER
Father, thank you for your unfailing love, shown to me in your Son Jesus. You didn’t have to save me, but you sacrificed your own Son so that I could be forgiven and free. I believe that Jesus is your Son and that he lived, died, and rose from the grave. I believe that salvation isn’t possible by any other means than faith in Jesus. So, I trust him. And I ask that you would make me more like Jesus, my Savior. Amen.