Who Jesus Christ Is
Saving faith has an object: Jesus Christ. This lesson establishes from Scripture that Jesus is the eternal Word, truly God, truly man, the only begotten Son of the Father, and the sinless Savior.
- See Christ's deity and eternal existence.
- See that the eternal Word truly became flesh.
- Understand why the sinlessness of Christ matters.
- See the distinction of the Father and the Son within the one true God.
The Word was God
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John begins before Bethlehem. The Word already was in the beginning. The Word was with God, showing personal distinction, and the Word was God, affirming deity. Verse 3 identifies the Word as Creator: all things were made by Him.
This matters to the gospel because Jesus Christ is the eternal Son who entered His own creation to save sinners.
The Word was made flesh
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.
The eternal Word truly became man. He was made flesh and dwelt among us. Scripture presents both truths together: Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man.
God was manifest in the flesh
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The verse says God was manifest in the flesh. The incarnation is central to the Christian message. The One who died and rose again is the divine Son who took upon Himself real humanity.
Jesus spoke of His existence before Abraham
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Jesus existed before Abraham. His words also echo the divine name. The Savior revealed in the gospel is the eternal Christ.
The Father gave His only begotten Son
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Scripture distinguishes the Father and the Son while teaching one God. Christian faith is Trinitarian: one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The gospel centers particularly on the Son whom the Father gave for the world.
Christ was without sin
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Every ordinary human being needs salvation because every ordinary human being is a sinner. Jesus Christ was truly tempted and truly human, yet without sin. His sinlessness qualified Him to give Himself for others.
Why the identity of Jesus matters
The gospel depends on who Jesus Christ is. The eternal Son became man while remaining God. He lived without sin and could therefore stand in the place of sinners and accomplish salvation.
Faith in Christ is confidence in the real Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture: the Son of God who came in the flesh, died for our sins, and rose again.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: John 1:1 • John 1:2 • John 1:3 • John 1:14 • 1 Timothy 3:16 • John 8:58 • John 3:16 • Hebrews 4:15 • Romans 3:23
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 words in these passages state what God has done, and which words state what the sinner must believe?
- Where does the text place works, religious rituals, or human merit in relation to receiving eternal life?
- Could you use these passages to explain the gospel clearly without adding another 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 1:2, John 1:3, John 1:14. 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.
- State clearly what a sinner must believe to be saved, and keep works or religious rituals out of the saving condition.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Word, truly God and truly man, the only begotten Son of the Father, and without sin. The identity of the Savior is essential to the saving message.
- What three things does John 1:1 say about the Word?
- What does John 1:14 say happened to the Word?
- How does 1 Timothy 3:16 describe the incarnation?
- What does Hebrews 4:15 teach about Christ and sin?
- Why would the gospel be fundamentally different if Jesus were only a created teacher?
Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again
21 min