Christ - Who Is He?

"...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" (Mat.16:13) Christ asked this question of his disciples. The answer indicated that men did not know or understand who Christ was. They said, "...Some say... John the Baptist: some, say Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." "...But whom say ye that I am?" (Mat.16:15) This question was then asked of his disciples. Peter spoke up and said, "...Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Mat.16:16) Jesus told Peter that he was blessed, because "...flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Mat.16:17) Peter had to be given the revelation of who Christ was.

It is no different for mankind today. We must be given the revelation of who Christ is.

There are many accounts left for us in the scriptures detailing the many wonderful works performed by this one called Christ. By the very words he spoke and the works he did, he became our example to follow. Christ "...loved righteousness, and hated iniquity..." (Heb.1:9) and because of this, Christ then lived his life as an example for us.

We can see the obedience to God that was being grown as a child when he was found in the temple hearing and asking questions of the doctors. His parents were concerned, but Jesus' answer to them was "...wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luk.2:49)

Because he was willing to be obedient, we see the results of this in Heb.5:9. "And being made perfect [morally and spiritually complete], he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" He not only became perfected himself, but he made the way for us to be made perfect. Thus the New Testament commandment that is given to us in Mat.5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

The scriptures show that Christ made something more available to mankind. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." (Joh.1:16) We were able to receive that deeper power of grace that had been prophesied of in Zec.12:10; 13:1, which was to be given for sin and uncleanness. The account of Christ going into a synagogue and casting out an unclean spirit (recorded for us in Mar.1:21-27) shows this power of grace in action. That same power was given to the apostles (Mar.6:7,13) as they were sent out two by two and cast out devils and healed the sick. In Mar.9:38,39 we see Jesus called casting out devils in his name a miracle.

In Heb.9:14,15 we are told this power could "...purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God..." Because of the depth of power Jesus made available to mankind, we see that "...he is the mediator of the new testament...that...they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

We do appreciate the sacrifices made by this one who was sent. "...Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified..." (Heb.10:9,10) Christ was willing to sacrifice his entire life to the will of God. We do look to him as our example. We do appreciate the spiritual battles he fought and the sacrifices he made. We thank God, the Father, for sending his son. We are grateful for the words of eternal life that were spoken by Jesus, God's son "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (Joh.6:63)

Therefore, we do thank God for the many blessings we have and are receiving. It's a result of Jesus, God's son, coming to this earth and fulfilling the calling God, his Father, gave him to fulfill. That was an awesome thing Christ did! We know it and praise God, our Father, every day for the sacrifices that were so willingly made by Jesus, that we might have the gift of eternal life.

The following is a list of titles given to Christ. They describe the many roles and functions he fulfilled in his life as he fulfilled his spiritual calling. We do appreciate the many things done for us by this one called the Son of God.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Joh.3:16)

We believe what is recorded in the scriptures is there for our learning. Indeed, for our very life. We believe, therefore, that we are to honor the words of Christ. We believe Christ is the one who was sent to be the author and finisher of our faith. We believe Christ will produce in us just what God purposed and promised - Eternal Life. This ministry appreciates the sacrifice made by the one to whom God was able to say, "...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Mat.17:5)