July 24, 2017 · 5:59 pm

Jesus the Christ and Son of the Living God

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” was Peter’s statement about Jesus.

Jesus blessed him, said that the Father had revealed this to him, and then said that upon this rock he would build his church and the gates of hades would not prevail against it.  See Matthew 16:13-20 for the full text.

How did Peter know?  How did the Father reveal it?  Peter knew the promises of the Messiah (the Christ) from passages of the Old Testament, and saw that Jesus fulfilled those promises.  Fulfillment of God’s promises was God’s revelation to Peter and to all.  In addition, Peter saw the miracles which Jesus did.  These works, as Nicodemus also noted, demonstrated that Jesus was not just a man.  He was sent by God (see also John 3:1-3).  Jesus himself pointed to the works he did as proof of his identity (John 14:10-11).  There was more!  Peter was able to hear Jesus teach, and noted the uniqueness of his message and his authority (see Matthew 7:28-29).  All these things were evidences given by God, which was how the Father revealed the identity of Jesus as his Son.  More evidence was given to demonstrate this truth.  The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was foretold by Jesus at the time Peter made his declaration.  Peter denied that it would happen, but he was rebuked for that denial.  He, and his fellow apostles, eventually experienced the pain of the loss of Jesus in death and then the overwhelming joy of seeing Jesus after he was raised on the third day – just as Jesus had promised.

Yes, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  It is through him that we have our sins forgiven and renewed fellowship with God, or we can have those gifts.  How is that possible?  Jesus paid the price for our sins, and has revealed in the New Testament the actions we are to take to enjoy the benefits of that salvation.  See 1 Peter 1:18-19 and Acts 2:22-42.  The church is the spiritual ‘body’ of Jesus and is comprised of those who obey him, those who have become his disciples.

Study the Scriptures to be certain of these truths.

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November 7, 2013 · 5:48 am

Jesus Christ is the Son of God

The gospel of Mark, the second ‘book’ in the New Testament, opens with the simple declaration: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).  Jesus was not just another man, nor was he simply a good man.  Jesus was God in the flesh, and he is the Son of God.

When we say Jesus Christ we are not speaking of a ‘first name’ and ‘last name’, but we are speaking of Jesus who is the Christ.  The word Christ designated that Jesus was God’s chosen one.  Jesus came to earth for a specific purpose: to give himself on the cross so that you and I can have the forgiveness of sins  (Matthew 20:28; 26:28).

Jesus is the ‘only begotten’ Son of God (John 3:16).  There was no son before, nor is there a son after.  Jesus is unique, and he is the only one.  We can all have ‘sonship’ by ‘adoption’ through Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:4-6).  But our sonship is only made possible by the only begotten Son of God, Jesus. 

Jesus became the Son of God when he was born of the virgin Mary, but this was not the beginning of his existence.  At this time the one we now call the Son of God, was fully divine but gave up the equality with God and came to earth as a man (Philippians 2:5-7).  This is revealed by John as well.  John referred to Jesus, who came in the flesh, as ‘the word’ (John 1:14).  The Word, Jesus, was in the beginning with God and was God (John 1:1).  John also declared that nothing was made without the Word (John 1:2, 3). 

Jesus is deity, fully divine.  He gave up his place in ‘heaven’ to come live as a man and redeem humanity through his own sacrifice on the cross.  He was Immanuel, “God with us”, as he gave his life on the cross.  He was the Lamb of God who was the sacrifice for our horrible sins. 

Jesus is the Son of God, and through him we can also be called sons of God.  Read Peter’s declaration of Jesus and then read his answer to the question others asked, “What shall we do?”  These words are all found in Acts 2:22-47.  Obey the words of the Lord spoken through Peter and become a child of God.

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November 3, 2012 · 4:36 pm

The Love of God

God’s love for humanity is seen in Jesus. God gave his only begotten Son, so that those who believe in him should have eternal life (John 3:16). Paul reminds us that this act of love was done even though we were/are unworthy of this great sacrifice (Romans 5:6-10). The sacrifice of Jesus was the sinless Son of God in place of sinful humanity, and through his sacrifice we can be forgiven of our sins (Matthew 20:28). This forgiveness is ours when we obey the Lord. Yes, we need to obey (Hebrews 5:9). To be forgiven each one needs to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Acts 2:38), confess Jesus as the Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10) and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then we need to walk in the path God has given in the pages of the New Testament, serving him in full faith (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

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August 4, 2012 · 5:31 am

“Behold Your God!”

“Behold your God” is a phrase introducing a lengthy passage in which God gives details about himself.  This phrase is found in Isaiah 40:9 and the context continues through Isaiah 45.  It is important for each one to know that we do not define God, but through the Bible God has revealed himself to us.  The entire Bible speaks of God and his nature, and this is one of those detailed passages for each one to consider.  Take time to read, contemplate and study this passage containing God’s revelation of himself to us. 

As you begin this passage, note the love of God for his children, his ‘sheep’.  The loving care described in the figure of a shepherd reminds us that God does care.  This care is frequently mentioned through this passage, with other attributes are also explained.  We cannot elevate any characteristic more than God elevates it.  And, as we learn about God we learn that every God has every characteristic in the highest and most perfect manner.

Remember, he is God and we are his creation.  Learn of him and serve him always!

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August 1, 2012 · 5:38 am

Hello!

Welcome to my newest venture to date, on July 31st, 2012. 

This blog will cover selected topics, most from a Biblical point of view.  You are welcome to share with others. 

I will be happy to use this to answer questions on Biblical subjects.  E-mail me at greggweston@hotmail.com and put Bible Question: _______________ in the subject line so I will know you are asking a question.  I will answer the question as quickly as I am able to do the study and work on the response.

Welcome!

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