“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” the Bible says (Acts 16:31). But you must get to know Jesus before you can believe in Him. Who then is Jesus Christ?
Son of God
First and foremost, let us be clear that Jesus Christ is God. To be more exact, He is one of the three gods. In order to distinguish Jesus from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Bible refers to him as “the Son of God” (see, for instance, John 1:18).
When did the Son of God come into existence?
Although the term “Son” might evoke the idea that first there was just God the Father, and only later God the Son was born, the Bible makes clear that the Son is eternal. He was there before the foundation of the earth. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Not only was God the Son there from eternity, but He will also remain forever: “I am the First and the Last… I am alive for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:17-18)
“We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God; begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him, all things were made” (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, 381 AD) is one of the first doctrines that the early church carefully formulated.
God and man
“For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human,” reads the next part of the same credo.
When was Jesus born?
The Son of God was born in the city of Bethlehem as a human baby some 2000 years ago. His incarnation is referred to as “coming in the flesh.” The young woman who gave birth to Jesus was engaged but had not yet had sex. This pregnancy was [effectuated by God’s own might].
Was Jesus an ordinary man?
Jesus was raised in a typical Israelite household. He was a complete human being, going through [feelings], illnesses, and temptations. However, He was not a “regular” guy since [He was sinless]. Furthermore, although being human, He was still God. According to Philippians 2:5-8 and Colossians 2:9, God the Son is both 100% divine and 100% human at the same time.
Jesus is the Savior
The salvation of sinful people was the aim of the incarnation. The first humans were flawless when they were made by God. However, they disobeyed their Creator, turning them into sinners deserving of God’s wrath (see Genesis 3). This had dire repercussions for them as well as for their progeny, who acquired their wicked disposition (Romans 5:14-21). Humanity was in a hopeless condition since they were beyond help and had provoked God’s anger.
Only God could alter this desperate situation: “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:11). And He did! “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus came on earth to announce God’s Kingdom and to teach people about God. His teachings were supported by supernatural miracles. But He also came to suffer and die in the place of humans. He was righteous and sinless but took on himself the sins of humanity. “He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53). “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus was ready to bear the punishment that humans deserved by dying at the cross.
Jesus is the risen King
The death of Jesus is not the conclusion of the story. [He was resurrected from the dead] after three days, and He is now eternally alive. He will remain in heaven until the end of time, when He returns to judge humanity and establish new earth and heavens. According to Luke 1:32–33, Christ is the everlasting King of the universe who rules in righteousness. For this reason, Christians honor him as their Lord. At the end of time, all tongues will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, and every knee will bend for him in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth (Philippians 2:10-11).
Jesus Christ has many names
Mary was instructed to give the child the name Jesus by the angel Gabriel, who declared the birth of “the Son of the most High.” That was his name in human lingo. Meaning “the one who saves,” that is precisely what Jesus accomplished! Numerous other titles are found in the Bible, including “the Son of God,” “the Lord,” “our Savior,” as well as “Christ” or “Messiah“. Before Jesus was born, in the Old Testament, that final phrase was used to refer to the Messiah that God would bring. Despite the opinions of many Jews, Jesus is in fact the long-awaited Messiah.
Other titles, such “the good Shepherd,” “the Son of man,” “the Word,” and so on, also allude to some of Jesus’ qualities. Some of these titles are blended, yet they all convey something about the complex nature of Jesus.
One day, we will fully know who Jesus is
We are unable to properly comprehend or articulate the nature of Jesus Christ. However, those who put their faith in Him can look forward to an everlasting afterlife where they will fully know Jesus. “Right now, we see faintly in a mirror; hereafter, we will see face to face. I know a little now, but eventually I will know everything, just as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Do you consider Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord?