Jesus Christ = God in the Flesh

The central issue of life is what we believe about Jesus Christ. Other spiritual questions are irrelevant UNLESS we first decide to believe that Jesus Christ is who He said He is!

In Luke 20:41-44 we read about the Pharisees who knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, but they did not understand that He would be more than a human descendant, He would be God in the flesh.

The Lord Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to them to show that David knew that the Messiah would be both human and divine (P.S. the Lord often quoted from Old Testament Scriptures: from the books of Moses - the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms, thus authenticating for us that it is the Word of God).

In Matthew 16: 15-16, Jesus asked His disciples, 'But who do you say I am?' to which Peter responded, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Not everyone accepts Peter's answer, but no one should avoid Jesus' question. (Josh McDowell)

In John 20:28 we read: "And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus accepts the designation. He rebukes Thomas for his unbelief, but not for his worship. (Stott, BC, 28) Note that when men or angels were worshiped, the worshippers were immediately rebuked and told  to worship God (Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 19:10). Jesus not only accepts this worship from Thomas, but encourages his statement of faith. (Josh McDowell)

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:11

"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." 1 Timothy 3:16

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:36

"Who is the image of the invisible God.." Colossians 1:15 'What God essentially is, is made manifest in Christ.' (Bruce, EH, 48) "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Colossians 2:9

God Himself calls him God: "But to the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.." Hebrews 1:8  'Once again, the evidence is conclusive - Jesus Christ is called God in the Scriptures' (Schultz, DPC, 180) So you can see that there is more than one person in the Godhead, actually - a Triune God. (1 Cor. 4-6; Luke 4:18; Heb 9:14; Eph 4:4-5; Acts 2:33; 2 Corinthians 13:13...)

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ("... Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Cor. 15:3-4.) Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11

"..If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9

Precious Pearl: He is your Lord only if you do as He says, and if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all!
"That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death into life." John 5:24

The Christian's hope: "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour JESUS CHRIST!" Titus 2:13

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:13

Claudine