Who Jesus Christ Is
A clear gospel presentation must identify the Savior. Jesus is not merely a moral teacher. He is the eternal Son of God who became flesh and lived without sin.
- Explain Christ’s deity.
- Explain that the Son truly became man.
- Show why a sinless Savior can bear our sins.
The Word was God and became flesh
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John presents both distinction and deity: the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Then the Word was made flesh. The gospel is about God the Son coming into the world, not a mere man trying to become divine.
Jesus was without sin
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are sinners. Christ knew no sin. That difference is essential because the spotless Savior could bear sins that were not His own.
Keep the message centered on Christ
Soul winning can become cluttered with secondary subjects. Stay centered. The hearer needs to know who Jesus is, what He did, and what God promises to the one who believes on Him.
If a person has a serious misunderstanding about Christ, slow down and deal with that before racing to the end of a presentation.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: John 1:1 • John 1:14 • 2 Corinthians 5:21 • John 1:1, John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21 • Mark 16:15 • Romans 3:23 • Romans 6:23 • Acts 16:30-31
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- Which verse would you actually open first if a real person were confused about this subject, and why?
- What question could you ask after reading the verse to discover whether the hearer understood it?
- Explain the truth aloud in plain language while keeping belief in Christ—not works, reform, baptism, or prayer—as the saving condition.
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize Who Jesus Christ Is in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen John 1:1, John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of Who Jesus Christ Is in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- Explain this truth aloud as though you were speaking to a real person who has never heard it clearly before.
- Which verse would you open to explain this truth?
- What simple question would reveal whether the hearer understood it?
- Can you explain the truth clearly without pressure or added saving conditions?
The Savior is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God made flesh, without sin. A clear gospel must clearly identify the Christ in whom the hearer is called to believe.
Christ Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again
19 min