We all have our own personal beliefs based on how we logically and emotionally process our experiences, also referred to as perspectives, or opinions. While there are very smart people who can dispute all of the following points that I make on this page, I want to share some of what I have learned about my faith, as many other people on both sides of this question have done. I have been through some significant challenges and I dug into the questions, "Was Jesus real?" and "Is Jesus the Son of God?"
The Bible is a very credible ancient historical document that was copied more times than other ancient historical documents, and copied accurately, considering other historical documents. Consider credibility from the scientific view of historiography, not from the personal view of individual belief. Just because many people do not believe in the Bible does not mean it is not a credible historical document, it just means it does not align with their personal beliefs or feelings.
It's interesting to me how all respectable historians believe Jesus of Nazareth existed but many think he was just teacher. The Gospel of John in the New Testament, was written by the disciple John, an eyewitness of the life of Jesus, and one of the three disciples closest to Jesus. John recorded that Jesus clearly stated He is the Son of God (John 6:38-40, 10:36-38 & 17:1). Either Jesus is the Son of God as He claimed, or a madman, or worse (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
The Bible provides a lot of other evidence Jesus is the Son of God. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled. Just as important, many other major characters in the New Testament were recorded declaring Jesus is the Son of God, including God (Matthew 3:17 & 17:5, Mark 1:11 & 9:7), an Angel (Luke 1:35), John the Baptist (John 1:29), Jesus' disciples (Mark 1:1 & John 1:49), even demons Jesus rebuked (Matthew 8:29, Mark 3:11 & 5:7, Luke 4:41 & 8:28), and the centurion watching over His crucifixion "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39). It seems that even the devil knew Jesus is the Son of God (Luke 4:3 & 9), but phrased it as a question (if you are the Son of God), in an attempt to deceive Jesus of His identity.
The devil is a crafty deciever (Revelations 12:9), and his top deceptions are to convince people that God does not exist, that Jesus is not the Son of God, that he (the devil) does not exist, that God does not love us, and/or that we are helpless victims or the future is hopeless. The truth is we are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27), as a spirit, with a soul, in a body (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and our spirit is a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
The Gospel of John in the New Testament, was written by the disciple John, an eyewitness of the life of Jesus, and one of the three disciples closest to Jesus. John recorded that Jesus clearly stated He is the Son of God (John 6:38-40, 10:36-38 & 17:1). Either Jesus is the Son of God as He claimed, or a madman, or worse (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
All respectable historians also believe the eyewitnesses who wrote the Gospels truly believed they saw Jesus after He was raised from the dead, including the skeptic Paul (a past Pharisee) who became an apostle and wrote many of the books in the New Testament.
God sending His only Son, Jesus, was the most impactful way our sins could be forgiven (Romans 5:19 & John 1:17), showing the love of God (1 John 4:8). The last verse in the book of John makes it clear... "These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
Though God has the power to do anything, He has delegated power to us (Genesis 1:28). Like any good parent, God wants us to live our life, and is happy to help if we ask, from a humble heart, for a good reason. While many people do not want to hear it, the truth is, God allows challenges in our lives so we will grow stronger, or to test us, or to test those around us, in hopes they will help.
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament claims Isaiah wrote a prophetic word that a virgin will bear a son (Isaiah 7:14). The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God and call him Jesus (Luke 1). Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told Joseph the plan (Mathew 1).
Jesus was human, as the Bible tells us that He got angry a few times, He had a sense of humor, and He cried a few times. Jesus fulfilled the law for us and redeemed us from our sins and offers our souls eternal life. Jesus is the Lion of Judah who faced down death, and was the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all, as the lamb of God.
I also find it interesting that the Islamic Quran claims angels told Mary she would bear a son from God and would call Him Jesus (Ali 'Imran 3:45-47).
God gave humans free will and a spirit of power, and love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He also gave us dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28). Since the fall of Adam and Eve, our desires of the flesh are against the desires of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-26). While our flesh is a concern, we are also in a spiritual war (Ephesians 6:12 & 2 Corinthians 3-5) in the world with the devil, our adversary (1 Peter 5:8 & John 10:10). In this world we will have trouble but take heart, Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33). The world will not be set right until Jesus returns, then there will be no more tears or pain (Revelations 21:4).
The Bible tells us the devil's strategy is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), which I believe includes stealing our fruit of the Spirit, fellowship with each other, and freedom (addictions), then he attempts to kill the body, and destroy legacy. The Bible also tells us the devil's tactics of temptation (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:13 & Luke 4:2), lies (John 8:44), deception (Revelation 12:9), and accusations (Revelation 12:10). The Bible also gives us a strategy, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7). Our tactics include spreading the Gospel and baptizing (Mark 16:15), disciple others, baptize, and teach others (Matthew 28:19-20). The Bible also tells us what our armor is and what our weapon is... "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:14-18). The Spirit is our offensive weapon and it is wielded with our tongue. The power of death and life is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Some claim that because Jesus said He is the only way to God that Christianity is not inclusive. Jesus never excluded anyone. If someone does not believe Jesus is the Son of God, their Lord and savior, that doesn't mean that Jesus excluded them, the invitation is always there.
The most popular verse in the Bible is John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. The key word being "whoever." How did Jesus model God’s love on earth? The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus (2 Timothy 1:7).
Jesus and His disciples did not regularly nag, or threaten people with this claim. It was only that one time Jesus claimed no one comes to God, except through Him. Jesus loved people by focusing on teaching (truth), healing (grace), and forgiving of sins (more grace). Jesus regularly loved people.
I feel that it is also important to note that the only people Jesus had issues with were people who were being mean to Him and trying to discredit Him. It is interesting that one of the Pharisees, Nicodemus, came to visit Jesus at night and talk with Him. Nicodemus told Jesus that there were some religious leaders who believed Jesus is from God (John 3). Nicodemus even spoke up for Jesus (John 7:50-51).
It is my understanding that the religious leaders who opposed Jesus believed that Jesus was not from God (John 7:27), but was from the devil (Matthew 12:24). The religious leaders who opposed Jesus believed that people who believed in Jesus were deceived (John 7:47). The truth was, they were the ones deceived (Revelations 12:9).
We live in a world of unseen spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12-13), within a larger love story (John 3:16, Romans 5:19, and 8:38-39). The Bible calls out the devil as a tempter (Matthew 4:1-11), the father of lies (John 8:44) and a deceiver and accuser (Revelation 12:9-10). I share many Bible verses about how this spiritual warfare works, in my Christian Wisdom Guide, which can be found in my Key Bible Verses book.
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