Lesson Three: Jesus - The Son of God
The fundamental teaching of God’s revelation to man is that Jesus is the Son of God. It is the basis of the New Testament Scriptures (John 20:30-31), the theme of New Testament preaching (cf. Acts 2:36; Acts 17:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:2), and one of the basic precepts of the faith we hold dear. The Scriptures contain many facts that give positive evidence that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Life and Characteristics of Jesus
His life, as presented in Scripture, offers great evidence that Jesus is the Son of God. It is an historical fact that Jesus lived, that He had a great influence on people, and that He died a martyr for His cause. But there are other facts which affirm Him to be what He claimed to be—the Son of God.
He was sinless. Hebrews 4:15 says He was tempted in all points as we are but was without sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states that He knew no sin. 1 Peter 2:21 says He committed no sin. This fact alone sets Him apart from all other responsible beings who have ever lived for everyone of them has sinned at one time or another (Romans 3:10,23). Even His enemies admitted His innocence (Acts 2).
His words are the greatest words ever spoken. His gospel is not only the most popular of all literature ever written, it is also the greatest literary work ever penned. The greatness of His teaching lies in its pure, lucid spirituality in dealing clearly, definitively, and authoritatively with man’s greatest problems (Matthew 7:28-29; John 7:43-46).
The miraculous works Jesus performed, done by the power of God (John 3:2), gave evidence He was from God and supported His claim to be the Son of God (John 5:36).
Fulfilled Messianic Prophecies
The Scriptures show how Jesus used the Messianic prophecies found in the Old Testament as proof of His identity (Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39-40). He fulfilled in detail over 300 Old Testament prophecies. It would have been impossible for an impostor to appear as the genuine Messiah by manipulating events because many of the prophecies were minute in their details and others were impossible to control. Someone has calculated the possibility of fulfilling those prophecies as being one chance in 8,400 followed by 129 zeros.
The Testimony of His Contemporaries
Those who knew Jesus gave their testimony as to His identity. John the Baptist, who fulfilled the role of forerunner to the Messiah, was fully convinced that Jesus was the Son of God (John 1:29,33). The apostle Peter was closely associated with Jesus. He firmly believed He was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-16). Nathanael, who did not believe that any good thing could come out of Nazareth, was overwhelming convinced that Jesus was the Son of God (John 1:45-50). Even the centurion who helped crucify Him, who watched Him on the cross, and who saw the earthquake and other unusual physical phenomena surrounding His death said, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).
Historians who chronicled the era in which Jesus lived on the earth agree He was the Christ. Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, Clement, Hermas, Irenaus, and Justin Martyr all recognize Him to be the Son of God. Even those who made no claim to any part of Christianity such as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny, and Josephus, do not deny the evidence and write of Him as the Christ.
The Testimony of the Spirit World
Angels, spirits, and demons knew who Jesus was. The angel “Gabriel” announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God (Luke 1:26-35). Before the child “Jesus” was born an angel told Joseph that Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit and that He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21). Even demons knew Jesus to be the Son of God (Mark 1:21-24).
The Resurrection from the Dead
Nothing is more crucial in establishing the divinity of Jesus than His resurrection from the dead. If He was raised from the dead, there can be no question of His divinity. If He was not raised from the dead, He is nothing more than a martyr to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). But Romans 1:4 says the resurrection demonstrated to all that Jesus is the “Son of God with power.”
The Old Testament prophesied of the Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Consider what is said of that resurrection in Psalm 16:10 and then read the application made of it by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:29-32. He specifically applied it to Jesus. Jesus made frequent references to His resurrection during His earthly ministry. In John 2:19-22 He said that after His death His body would be raised in three days. In Luke 9:22 He said He would be killed and then raised the third day. He used the sign of the prophet Jonah in Matthew 12:40 to show that He would only be in the grave for three days and nights. He emphatically stated in Matthew 20:18-19 that He would rise again the third day.
Seeing that the resurrection is so pivotal in establishing the true identity of Jesus, there have been many efforts to explain it away. Some of the explanations given for the disappearance of the body of Jesus include that it was stolen by His disciples, that it was removed by Joseph of Arimathea, that it was removed by the soldiers, that the women went to the wrong tomb on Sunday morning, and, believe it or not, that Jesus did not actually die but only swooned. What really happened is found in Acts 2:25-32; Romans 1:1-4; and Romans 6:5—Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God.
The post-resurrection appearances establish the resurrection as genuine. Jesus appeared on at least ten occasions to His disciples (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Appearing to over 500 people after He was resurrected establishes beyond doubt that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The Testimony of the Father
At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17) and then again on the mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) the voice of the Father came from heaven. He was speaking of Jesus when He said, “This is my beloved Son.” No one can doubt the honesty and integrity of the heavenly Father. His personal testimony is without parallel. He says Jesus Christ is His Son.
Conclusion
With all the evidence that God has given, one would either be foolish or dishonest, or both, not to believe in Jesus. It is extremely important that you believe in Him for Jesus said, in John 8:24, “...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Consider all the evidence. Give it a fair and honest hearing. You will come to the conclusion that truly Jesus Christ is what He claims to be and what millions have believed Him to be—the all-mighty Son of God who came into the world to save man from his sins.