Jesus Christ: Myth or Reality?

Much debate exists about the identity of Jesus Christ. Nearly every religion discusses Him at some point. Some say He was a prophet, others say a good teacher, or a man like and you me. Others believe He never existed at all.

I cannot prove by the scientific method that Jesus existed, although I know of His existence through many sources (not just religious sources). Ultimately, I accept His existence and identity by faith; the same way any person accepts their religion as true.

HIS IDENTITY                               EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER
HIS EXISTENCE                            HIS RESURRECTION
HIS WORKS                                  THE APOSTLES
HIS TITLES                                   ARE GOOD INTENTIONS ENOUGH?
HIS CHARACTER                         SALVATION

HIS IDENTITY:

      Who is Jesus Christ?

Ask any one who Jesus Christ is, and you will receive a myriad of answers. I think all possibilities boil down to three options: liar, lunatic or Lord. These three possibilities are explored in Josh McDowell’s book, More Than a Carpenter.

Liar?

In Jesus’ life, as recorded in many written sources, He made several fantastic claims as to His identity. He claimed to be the Son of God, the Creator of all life and the Salvation of mankind. He even declared that He would rise from the dead after three days and ascend to His Father in Heaven. Either His claims are true, or He is a liar.

First, we must realize that the nature of a liar is to deceive, lead astray and confuse. If Jesus is a liar, then anything He taught was also a lie. The idea of Him being just a good teacher cannot be valid. If He cannot be trusted as to His identity, then He cannot be trusted in His teachings. Who would want to follow or listen to a liar?

Second, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is enormously important to a believer who trusts Him as Lord and Savior. If He lied, then the resurrection was also a lie, and the believer’s faith is vain, useless and empty. Learn more about the Importance of Resurrection.

Third, all of His works and miracles would also be a lie. All the sick He healed, lame that walked, blind that saw, tormented that were delivered and the dead that were raised is untrue if He were a liar.

It is not possible to lie about your identity, but be trusted in any other matter. If you met me for the first time, and I introduced myself as the Easter Bunny, why would you believe another word that came from my mouth? It is the same if Jesus were a liar.

      Lunatic?

A second possibility to Jesus’ identity is He was a lunatic—a crazy man. To make such fantastic claims as He did (Son of God, power over life and death, Creator, power over scientific laws, etc.), He would have to be crazy. We would most likely ignore such a person and dismiss their claims as meaningless talk.

However, if Jesus were a lunatic, He would also have to manifest the characteristics of an insane person. Upon studying His life though, we find the direct opposite. He maintained courage and calmness under the most dire of circumstances (i.e. trial before Pilate, flogging, agony on the Cross). He always maintained His composure and serenity when His enemies attacked Him. When people argued and tried to trap Him in debates, He always calmly answered with Wisdom beyond the wisdom of man. Not the makings of a crazy man.

      Lord?

Only one alternative remains to answer the identity of Jesus. He is who He declared. If He were neither liar nor lunatic, then all of His claims to deity and sovereignty are true. All His works, miracles and teachings are also true.

BeStrong Ministries believes that Jesus is indeed who He claimed to be—Lord God.  (Statements of Belief)  Christ’s deity is proved (or revealed) by His existence, works, titles, and character, equality with the Father, resurrection and apostles.

HIS EXISTENCE:

• Jesus is not a created being, like people and animals. He has always existed before the world was created and always will exist. Thus, He is ETERNAL.

• The only Begotten Son of God, the Father.

• Creator of all things

• Became God incarnate to offer Himself for sins of mankind. (Salvation)

HIS WORKS:

Available is a complete list of Jesus' Works & Miracles.

• Power to Forgive Sins:
  Jesus performed many works that only God can do. In the Gospels, there is a story of a paralytic. In those days, people believed that a man was sick or suffering because he had sinned. To show Jesus had power to heal AND forgive sins, He healed the man and also forgave him. The Pharisees were outraged, because only GOD had the power to forgive sin. (Luke 7:48-50; John 9:1-3)

• Creator and Sustainer of Creation:
  John 1:3 “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.”
  Colossian 1:16-17 “For by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (or cohere or hold "together”).

• Power over Nature:
  Jesus calmed large storms, withered trees, walked on water, turned water into wine, fed 5000 and 4000 people on two separate occasions with a couple loaves of bread and some fish and many more miracles. (Luke 8:22-5; Matthew 8:22-7; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25. Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25. Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21. John 2:1-11. Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-15; Matthew 15:29-39; Mark 8:1-9. Matthew 17:24-27; Luke 5:1-11; John 21:1-11)

• Power over Sickness:
  Jesus healed on numerous occasions. With a word or a touch, he healed instantly paralytics, lepers, blind, lame and crippled, maimed and mute.

• Power over Satan/demons:
  When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan could not overcome Him. Also, Jesus healed people possessed by demons. Jesus’ critics said He was using the power of the devil to cast out demons. Jesus responded by saying that if Satan was casting out Satan, his kingdom would fall. A kingdom cannot be divided against itself and stand.

• Power over the Death:
  Jesus proved His power over death on three occasions: Lazarus, who was dead for four days, a man in an open coffin during the funeral procession and a young girl. (John 5:25, 11:1-46) (Ultimately by His own resurrection.)

• Judges:
  Only God has the authority and wisdom to be Judge over all. It is also a Divine right/characteristic to act as Judge. (John 5:27) And He is a righteous Judge, never erring in His justice. 

• Sends Holy Spirit:
  Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him after He ascended. (John 15:26) Holy Spirit is also God, as is the Father and Son.  Read about the Godhead in Statements of Belief.

HIS TITLES:

Jesus Christ has numerous titles, or names, that give a broader understanding of His character and identity. But those that prove His deity are:

• Son of Man (Son of Man has power to forgive sins)-(Luke 5:24, 19:10; Matthew 26:64 with Daniel 7:13-14

• I AM- (John 8:24, 58 with Exodus 3:14)

• God (Titus 1:3-4, 2:13; I Peter 1:1)

• Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18, 14; 3:16, 18)

• Christ (Luke 4:41, 9:20)

• Lord and God (John 20:26-9)

• Lord of the Sabbath (because He created the Sabbath)-Luke 6:5

HIS CHARACTER:

• All Powerful (Omnipotent)- (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 19:6)

• All Knowing (Omniscient)- (Psalms 139:1-6; John 1:48-50)

• All Present (Omnipresent)-(Psalms 139:7-12; Matthew 18:20)

• Self Existent (John 1:4)

• Unchanging/Immutable (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; John 1:2)

• Eternal (Psalms 90:2; John 17:5)

• Sinless (John 8:46; I Peter 2:21-3)

• Truth (John 14:6)

• Sovereign (Ephesians 1:11)

• Love (I John 4:8)

• Holy (Isaiah 6:1-3)

HIS EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER:

• By Jesus claiming to be equal to the Father (God), He was claiming to also be God. (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 10:30-33, 12:37-41; II Corinthians 13:14)

• Know Christ = Know God (John 8:19, 14:7)

• See Christ = See God (John 12:45, 14:9)

• Hate Christ = Hate God (John 15:23)

• Believe Christ = Believe God (John 12:44, 14:1)

• Receive Christ = Receive God (Mark 9:37)

HIS RESURRECTION:

• Jesus’ resurrection showed He has power over DEATH. (Matthew 12:38-40; John 2:19-22 and Romans 1:4; John 10:17-18)

THE APOSTLES:

• The disciples were eye witnesses to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. They gave their lives to spread the Gospel and also gave their lives as martyrs when persecuted for their faith unto death. (Colossians 1-2 and Hebrews 1)

ARE GOOD INTENTIONS ENOUGH?

If you died today and were standing before God and He asked, “Why should I let you into my heaven?”, what would you say?
Most answer:

• I raised a good family

• I never lied or cheated

• I never murdered or stole, etc.

• I did the best I could with what I had

• I didn’t know any better

• I loved others and treated them well

• I never complained

• I AM A GOOD PERSON!

Here’s an illustration.
Imagine a long line of all the people who have lived. At one end (the left), are the exceptionally loving and kind people, i.e. the Mother Teresa’s, Saints of the Church, the martyrs, etc. At the other end (the right) of the line, is the other extreme of exceedingly evil people, i.e. the Hitler’s and Stalin’s, etc. WHERE DO YOU STAND IN THIS LINE? Most place themselves 1/3 of the way from the left (the good people).

• Where is the dividing line for those who deserve to go to heaven, and those who do not?

No dividing line exists—it isn’t even on the line. Not one person is good enough to earn heaven on their own merits.

Here’s why:

Man is born inherently evil. Adam’s sin is passed on to each generation, continuing to the current generation. Because God is 100% holy, He cannot be in the presence of evil. Because He is 100% just, He must punish this evil. But this is not how God intended man to be. Man was created to have fellowship with God, but because of man’s self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and thus broke his fellowship with God. This attitude of self-will or rebellion is sin.

Even though sin is man’s choice, God made a way for the impassable gulf between Himself and man to be bridged. He sent His perfect, holy Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the form of man, be crucified and bear the sins of the entire world (past, present, future) on His shoulders. He was the substitution for our punishment. But His death is not enough to bridge the gap. He had to rise from the dead to prove He has power over life AND death. He now sits at the right hand of God, in heaven, interceding on OUR behalf before the Father. Man cannot reach the same holiness as God’s by his own merits or works. He must accept the work of Jesus Christ in order to be holy in the sight of God.

Through Jesus Christ, man can accept the FREE gift of salvation, and no longer be separated from God. He no longer needs to rely on luck and good works to enter Heaven.

God loved us so intensely, that He could not bear to be separated forever from His creation. Also because of His love, He will not force us to accept His gift. It is still our choice!

In reality, the only answer to God asking “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” is “Jesus Christ is my Savior!”

Now that you know Jesus died in your place so that you could enjoy eternity with Him, you must make a decision.

• Option A: continue to live as you have before, by rejecting Him and turning away His love.

• Option B: accept this gift!

THE GIFT OF SALVATION:

1. God loved you enough to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins. (John 3:16; John 17:3)

2. Man is sinful and separated from God. (Romans 3:23). Since man chose sin, he is spiritually separated from God forever (Romans 6:23).

3. Jesus Christ is God’s ONLY provision for man’s sin. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, we can know God personally and experience His love. (Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 15:3-6; John 14:6)

4. Knowing is not enough. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
John 1:12 “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast.”
John 3:1-8 describes how when we receive Christ, we experience a new birth.

5. We must receive Christ by personal invitation
Revelation 3:20 ‘“[Christ speaking] “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.”
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (by repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith—as an act of the will.
Before Christ, our "self" directed our life. After receiving Christ, Jesus is on the “throne” of our lives, directing.

6. Are you ready to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior? The following is a suggested prayer. He is not interested with your words, but with the sincerity of your heart. Pray out loud:

“Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. I confess that I have sinned. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life/heart and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen."

If this just expressed the desires of your heart, Jesus has heard and forgiven your sins. Your eternal life with Him begins now!

1. The moment you received Christ by faith, as an act of your will, many things happened, including the following:
   a. Christ came into your life (Revelation 3:20 & Colossians 1:27)
   b. Your sins were forgiven (Colossians 1:14)
   c. You became a child of God (John 1:12)
   d. You received eternal life (John 5:24)
   e. You began the great adventure for which God created you (John 10:10; II Corinthians 5:17; I Thessalonians 5:18)

2. We would like to send you a free packet that will help you grow in your new life in Christ. Please email us with your name and mailing address.

3. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! If you have ANY questions, or would like more information, please email us!

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