‘Who ... is Jesus?’
Matthew 16:13-20 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that You are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said to them, but who say you that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man who He was Jesus the Christ.”
Prologue.
Jesus in the scripture above was alone with His disciples who followed His life, ministry, and teachings, asked a question, 'who do men say that I am?' The Jews had witnessed the teaching, miracles, and works that Jesus had done. The response to Jesus was that men had differences of opinion who Jesus was. The Jews didn’t question for the most part who Jesus was in greatness likening Him to John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. However, Jesus didn’t ask an inquiring question to find out what men thought about Him; He desired to solidify His credentials to those whom He called to follow Him.
Peter who spoke in behalf of the disciples responded that He was the Christ (‘the Anointed One’), the Son of the living God. Jesus told Peter that his confession was not given to him by flesh and blood (man) since they thought that Jesus was a great prophet, but it was revealed to Him by God the Father. For two thousand years all men that have lived have had to form an opinion of who Jesus was when He lived on this earth. A fourfold view held by men was recently preached that addressed the question, 'Who is Jesus?’. The several views proposed: He was only a man [John 10:33]; He was deranged [Mark 3:21] ; He was demonic [Mark 3:22]; or He was divine [John 10:30].
These are four suggestions that may explain the general response of men to this question: men either ignore the claim of Jesus with their own view; others avoid the question, and a third group accept the claim of Jesus that He is God’s Son [John 3:34-36].
Introduction.
Let’s consider the truths in Jesus’ query concerning who men thought about Him. This passage marks a transition between His ministry to the Jews who as a nation had rejected the Messianic claim of Jesus [John 1:11-12] despite the wondrous miracles, teachings, and works performed in part as a sign to the Jews of His Messiahship. Jesus established His credentials that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He blessed Peter for His confession that God the Father had revealed to Peter the truth that God had sent His Son Jesus into the world [John 3:17] and Peter’s confession that Jesus was the ‘Christ’ associated Jesus with His anointing by the Holy Spirit at outset of Jesus’ ministry.
“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I (John the Baptist) did not know Him: but He (God the Father) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said to me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He (Jesus) which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and have record that this is the Son of God” [John 1:32-34]. The testimony of John the Baptist, Peter, and Jesus Himself testified that Jesus was the Christ (anointed One), the Son of the living God. Jesus laid the foundation for entrance into the kingdom of God: saving faith in Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.
The keys were just handed to Peter by Jesus that had resulted from the blessing for his confession that he made of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter used 'the keys’ that later enabled him to open and preach the gospel of saving grace to the Jews first [Acts 2:1-47] and later to the Gentiles [Acts 10:1-48; Acts 15:7]. The keys were in Peter’s possession to open the kingdom of God to all believers and shut it to all unbelievers [John 3:36].
Laying the Foundation.
Jesus in ministry was transitioning from the nation of Israel who witnessed His power, love, and mercy toward them, but had rejected Him as the King Messiah and held Him to be only a prophet. Jesus begins to introduce a new concept of His ministry based upon Peter’s conviction that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God . This is the foundational truth that Jesus would build His church (‘His assembly of believers’). The teaching about the ’church’ was a new revelation and concept that Jesus introduces at this time. His ministry would no longer be to the nation that had rejected His claims, but would be to individual believers who received Him as God’s Son, the anointed Christ. Jesus lays the foundational truth that His church would be built upon the profession of Peter that later germinated into the church composed of both individual Jews and Gentile believers. Jesus’ ministry now is to individual Jews who would believe in Him as the Christ of God.
John 1:11-13 "He came unto His own (the nation), and His own received Him not. But as many(individual Jews) as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The church began with the preaching of Peter upon the spiritual arrival of the Holy Spirit in power to initiate His spiritual body of believers that composed the church that was founded upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God [Acts 2]. The church came into being with the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost following the official rejection, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Jesus assured His disciples that the ’gates of hell’ (Satan) would not prevail in the spiritual warfare between God and Satan that would later ensue. Jesus’ life was now in danger from the rejection of Him by the Jewish leaders, and He warns His disciples to tell no man who He was Jesus ('Savior’) the Christ.
Who is Jesus, a man?
The most common thinking by the natural (unsaved) man outside of the divine revelation clearly given of Jesus’ divine credentials, is that Jesus was a man and nothing more. Few would deny that Jesus ever lived since so much secular history and the writings of the apostles would contradict the obvious. No person who ever lived could match His impact on the human race by His life. Most of the proposals concerning Jesus whether in the pulpit, in a class room, or with men in general, claim that Jesus was only a man and nothing more. Speculation concerning Jesus was that He was only a good man, a teacher, a humanitarian, a philosopher, an idealist, or yes, some claimed deranged or beside Himself.
When the multitudes came to Jesus in hoards, His own family thought Jesus had gone overboard (‘out of His mind‘) in the attention given Him. “And the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself” [Mark 3:20-21]. The position that Jesus was only a man and nothing else has no serious merit to anyone who has studied the life, teachings, and historical narratives of the life of Jesus the Christ. Those who think that Jesus was a mere man without considering the miraculous teachings, wisdom, and understanding of Jesus revealed in the scriptures, have no basis for saying so except for their blind unbelief and hatred of Christianity.
To maintain this bias that describes Jesus as only a teacher, humanitarian, philosopher, or anything else as a mere man, have a severe case of spiritual blindness [2 Corinthians 4:4]. Even the enemies of Jesus acknowledged the supernatural nature of Jesus Christ: "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation" [John 11:47-48].
Who is Jesus, a man? (continued).
A secular humanist or an evolutionist that denies the supernatural personhood of Jesus lives only in the realm of the seen and natural laws of life, denies the supernatural realm of life. From the Christian’s view of life, the secularist must deny the gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John given by four different men who observed the life, teaching, and miraculous activities that occurred during the ministry of Jesus Christ.
All four versions written in the gospels include the supernatural miracles performed by the Lord, his extraordinary teachings recorded in the scriptures, and later the conversion, life, and ministry of the Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament letters affirming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ including over five hundred witnesses who saw the resurrected Christ before His ascension into heaven.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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: And that He was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He (Jesus) was seen of me (the Apostle Paul) also, as of one born out of due time” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
The Apostle Paul was a persecutor (an unbeliever) who saw the glorified Jesus at his personal conversion [Acts 9:5]. These were all credible witnesses who were taught from childhood not to bear false witness [Exodus 20:16]. The Apostle Peter dispels the notion that the disciples were delirious or followed fables concerning the life and ministry of Jesus. Peter lived with Jesus during this three and one-half year ministry: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty" [2 Peter 1:16]. “Jesus was who He said He was, or He was the greatest colossal fraud who ever lived” (Noel Smith, deceased Editor and Professor at Baptist Bible College). The written evidence by creditable witnesses overwhelmingly affirms the latter, Jesus is divine.
Who is Jesus, a deranged man?
Those who assail the charge that Jesus was a deranged man who was out of control lay a charge that He was a man who was on a mission to carry out His own agenda who was beside Himself. However, there is no substance to this thought to substantiate such a claim. True enough, there are accounts that found Jesus in the midst of hostile crowds at times and he was also in out of control situations where people were thronging Him with not so much a break to allow Him and the disciples the leisure to eat [Mark 3:20-21]; however, Jesus as sovereign Lord was able to calm the hysteria and multitudes that at times found Him in dangerous situations where people threatened violence against Him [John 10;31] or in a raging storm where Jesus quelled its violence [Luke 8:23-24].
The Pharisees attempted to trick Jesus with their deceit [Matthew 22:15] in their attempt to have Jesus to sin and in every instance, Jesus affirmed that He was more than a man out of control when He confounded these attacks made on His teaching [John 7:15], wisdom [ Matthew 13:54], and character [John 8:41]. Contrary to the claim that Jesus was deranged, His teaching confounded His enemies and displayed the brilliance of divine wisdom as the ‘Christ, the Son of the living God’. “And the Jews marveled, saying, How does this man know letters, having never learned” [John 7:15]. The testimony of men who heard Jesus teach: “The officers answered, Never has a man spoke like this man” [John 7:46]. Since the wisdom and understanding of Jesus exceeded their own, His enemies were filled with jealousy and intense hatred where they plotted to kill Jesus [Matthew 26:4], the Savior of the world [1 Timothy 4:10].
Who is Jesus, a demonic man?
The enemies of Jesus saw His miracles, healings, firsthand and heard His teachings that caused them to marvel [Luke 20:26]. They did not deny that Jesus was supernatural and laid the charge that Jesus was possessed with a demon. They were unable to refute the miracles nor counter His teachings [Luke 20:39-40], they resorted to attacking the Person of Jesus, that He was demon possessed. The charge was outright blasphemy. “But the Pharisees said, He casts out demons through the prince of the demons” [Mathew 9:34]. The Pharisees accused Jesus that He was able to cast out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons. Jesus understood the charge that the Pharisees were making against Him that they were ascribing His supernatural power to the spirit of Satan.
Jesus charged that the Pharisees who witnessed His miracles as having committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit and this sin would not be forgiven them. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” [Matthew 12:39-40]. The unpardonable sin of blasphemy in this writer’s opinion is not possible to commit in this present age of grace. Only men who lived and observed the works of Jesus and ascribed the Spirit to a demon within Him rather than giving glory to the work of the Holy Spirit committed the unpardonable sin. There is only one sin that condemns a man now and that is his rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ [Romans 1:16] in unbelief. John 3:36 "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Failure to believe the report that God who cannot lie [Titus 1:2] has given concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus condemns a person’s soul. The call of God is for all men to repent of their sins and place their personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross [John 3:14-15]. The religious leaders could not deny what their eyes had seen, in their blind hatred they accused Jesus of having an evil spirit within Him.
Jesus is divine.
We have considered the view of man concerning Jesus: He was only a man; He was a deranged man; He was a demonic man; and finally, Jesus is who He said he was, divine. “I (Jesus) and My Father(God the Father) are One (God)” [John 10:30]. The Jews understood this claim of Jesus and sought to stone Him [John 10:31]. Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. Although Jesus is God in the flesh He was made of the same substance as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. The Jews understood that God was the Father and Creator of all but were deficient in understanding that the Father had a Son, Jesus, and the third person of the Godhead is the Holy Spirit. Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father and he would be satisfied [John 14:8].
Jesus response to Philip was He had already seen the Father with Jesus in his presence. “Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? he that has seen Me has seen the Father; and how do you say then, Show us the Father?” [John 14:9]. The Jesus placed Himself on the same level as God the Father. Further, Jesus was the only Person in the Godhead that the disciples could see since Jesus had become incarnate (in the flesh) visible to man. Jesus had revealed that God is a Spirit and men must worship God with their spirit and in truth. Jesus had left instructions that when a person becomes of follower of Jesus, he is to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19].
The three persons of the Godhead are all involved in the salivation of men: the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world to save men [John 3:16], the Son, Jesus, sacrificed Himself on the cross to endure the wrath of God on sin [2 Corinthians 5:21], and the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer at his conversion [Romans 8:9]. “But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (God the Father) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He (God the Father) that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by His Spirit (Holy Spirit) that dwells in you” [Romans 5:11].
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
There is no doubt about it, Jesus is God, the second Person of the Godhead: He clearly expressed that He is God and is inter-related to the Father. The teaching, works, and life of Jesus revealed the glory of God. John 1:14 “And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” In the discourse with Philip, Jesus testified of the inter-relationship between Him and the Father and called upon Philip to believe in Him or believe Him for the very works that He did. “Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake” [John 14:11].
The positions held by man have been presented and none hold a close second to who Jesus really is, the Son of God. Who is Jesus? Every man must decide for himself. If the Holy Spirit has convicted you of the truth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of man and impressed on your heart the personal need to be saved from your sins, here’s how. Suggested prayer: ‘Lord Jesus, as a sinner in need of a Savior, I call upon you now from my heart, to save my soul, in Jesus name, amen’. Please remain a few moments in prayer trusting Jesus Christ to save your soul.
Jesus needs to become the Lord of your Life.
Once you experience the saving grace of God in your life, then Jesus has purchased you by His precious blood to save your soul from wrath. Upon having been converted, the Holy Spirit baptizes you into the spiritual body of Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 12:13]. “Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” [1 Peter 1:18-19].
There are three ingredients needed for spiritual growth: faith, obedience, and surrender. Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ [Luke 9:23] will involve these three things in your daily life. The faith needed in the Christian will require daily Bible study, reading, and meditation; obedience is needed as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you that you can apply to your life; and surrender is a daily happening in prayer to God [Philippians 4:6-7] that involves a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus with confession of sin [1 John 1:9].
You will need to identify with a local church by water baptism for fellowship with other believers and to sit under anointed teaching and preaching. The church should hold to the inspiration of the scriptures and makes a concerted effort to reach the lost. You need to support the local church with your prayers, financial support, and using spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you along with sharing your personal saving faith with others [Acts 1:8].
Joe Honeycutt
Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor &
Certified Temperament Counselor
National Christian Counselors Association
*The article ‘Who ... is Jesus?’ was written dispel human thinking that is clearly discredited by historical accounts of the life, teaching, and works performed by Jesus on the earth to show men that Jesus is indeed the Savior of the world. Jesus was not a mere man, but the God-man; not deranged; nor demonic; had creditable witnesses to His supernatural life and ministry. The Apostle Peter was one such creditable witness of the life of Jesus: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” [2 Peter 1:16].
The article above is not to be construed as counseling since our counseling is personal with an Arno Temperament Profile administered that is unique and different for every person counseled.
**Park Crest Counseling does not employ medicines or recommend their use. People needing physical or psychiatric help, should see the appropriate specialist. Persons in trouble legally, should see a lawyer or law enforcement agency.
***The Scripture references in the article have insertions with parentheses [ ] or ( ) to clarify and explain. The scripture quotes and references are from the NKJV or otherwise noted. Archaic words may be updated to current spelling or meaning. Names for God or words referring to God are normally capitalized out of respect for God. The references are listed below in the order found in the article. Scriptures quoted in full in the article are not included below.
John 10:33 “The Jews answered Him, saying, for a good work we do not stone You; but for blasphemy; and because that You, being a man, make Yourself God.”
Mark 3:21 “And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself.”
Mark 3:22 “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the demons casts He out demons.”
John 10:30 “I and My Father are One.”
John 3:34-36 “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure to Him. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 1:11-12 "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:"
John 3:17 “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Acts 2:1-47 (See this reference for more detail)
Acts 10:1-48 (See this reference for more detail)
Acts 15:7 “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.”
John 3:36 "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him."
Acts 2 (See this reference for more detail)
2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Acts 9:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”
Exodus 20:16 “Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Mark 3:20-21 “And the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself.”
John 10:31 “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”
Luke 8:23-24 “But as they sailed He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.”
Matthew 22:15 “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk.”
John 7:15 “And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?
Matthew 13:54 “And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Where has this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”
John 8:41 “Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, shall Christ come out of Galilee?”
John 7:15 “And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:46 “The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.”
Matthew 26:4 “And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill Him.”
1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.”
Luke 20:26 “And they could not take hold of His words before the people: and they marveled at His answer, and held their peace.”
Luke 20:39-40 “Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, You have well said. And after that they did not ask Him any question at all.”
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John 10:31 “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”
John 14:8 “Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it will suffice us.”
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
Romans 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
Luke 9:23 “And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you will be witnesses of Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.”