Who Is Jesus Christ? Why the Real Jesus Matters
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (LSB)
Few questions are more important than this one:
Who is Jesus Christ?
Every religion has an opinion about Jesus. History records countless ideas about Him. Some call Him a prophet. Others call Him a moral teacher. Some believe He was a created being, while others say He was merely a good man.
But Jesus Himself asked His disciples a question that every person must answer:
“But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, LSB)
The answer to that question determines eternity.
Jesus Is God
Many people believe Jesus was simply an extraordinary teacher or prophet. But the Bible reveals something far greater.
John begins his Gospel by declaring:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem.
He did not come into existence when Mary conceived Him.
He is eternal God.
John goes on to say:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14)
The eternal Son of God entered His creation, taking on human flesh without ceasing to be God.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Jesus Claimed Equality With God
Critics often claim Jesus never said He was God. Yet Jesus repeatedly made claims that left no doubt in the minds of His hearers.
In John 8:58 Jesus declared:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
By using the phrase “I AM,” Jesus identified Himself with the divine name God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14.
The Jewish leaders understood exactly what He meant and attempted to stone Him for blasphemy.
Jesus wasn’t misunderstood.
He intentionally declared His deity.
Jesus Is Creator
Paul writes:
“For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible…” (Colossians 1:16)
Jesus is not part of creation.
He created creation.
Every galaxy.
Every angel.
Every atom.
Everything exists because of Him.
Paul continues:
“And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
At this very moment, Christ is sustaining the universe.
Why Jesus Came
Jesus came into the world for one reason:
To save sinners.
He said:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Sin separated humanity from God.
No amount of religion, morality, or good works could bridge that gap.
Only a perfect Savior could accomplish what sinners never could.
Isaiah prophesied centuries earlier:
“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities…” (Isaiah 53:5)
On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath sinners deserved.
He became our substitute.
The Resurrection Changes Everything
Christianity stands or falls on one event.
The resurrection.
Paul summarized the Gospel this way:
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Jesus conquered death.
The empty tomb proves that sin was paid for and that Christ reigns victorious.
Without the resurrection, Christianity collapses.
But Christ lives.
And because He lives, all who trust Him will live also.
Jesus Is The Only Way
Modern culture rejects exclusive truth.
People prefer to believe that all religions lead to God.
Jesus disagreed.
He declared:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
Notice He did not say He was a way.
He said He is the way.
Acts 4:12 reinforces this truth:
“And there is salvation in no one else…”
There are not many saviors.
There is one Savior.
There are not many roads.
There is one road.
Jesus Christ alone.
False Religions Present A Different Jesus
This is why doctrine matters.
Many religions use the name Jesus, but not all present the biblical Jesus.
Islam’s Jesus
Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet.
It denies His deity.
It denies His crucifixion.
It rejects Him as the Son of God.
But Scripture declares:
“Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” (John 20:28)
A Jesus who is not God cannot save.
Mormonism’s Jesus
Mormonism teaches that Jesus is a created being and that men may become gods.
But Isaiah 43:10 declares:
“Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.”
There are not many gods.
There is one God.
And Jesus Christ is His eternal Son.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel.
Yet Hebrews 1:5 asks:
“For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son’?”
Jesus is not an angel.
He is worshiped by angels.
Progressive Christianity’s Jesus
Many today prefer a Jesus who never judges sin and simply affirms everyone.
But Jesus Himself warned:
“Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
The real Jesus is loving.
But He is also holy.
And He calls sinners to repentance.
Beware Another Jesus
The Apostle Paul warned:
“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached…” (2 Corinthians 11:4)
False christs have existed since the first century.
They still exist today.
And they cannot save.
Only the Jesus revealed in Scripture is able to redeem sinners.
One Day Every Knee Will Bow
Paul writes:
“So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW… and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Every atheist.
Every king.
Every false teacher.
Every unbeliever.
Every believer.
One day every knee will bow before Christ.
The only question is whether you will bow before Him now in faith, or later in judgment.
The Greatest Invitation
The same Jesus who will one day judge the world offers forgiveness today.
He receives sinners.
He grants mercy.
He saves all who come to Him in repentance and faith.
Because there is salvation in no one else.
And there is no greater truth than this:
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Next in The TRUTH Series
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
God, Not a Force, Wind, or Created Spirit.
Scripture Keywords
- John 1:1
- John 1:14
- John 8:58
- Colossians 1:16
- Colossians 2:9
- John 14:6
- Acts 4:12
- Philippians 2:10-11
- 1 Corinthians 15
- Isaiah 53