Jesus our Savior

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14 (NASB)

Jesus Christ is the most important person in history. There are more prophecies about Him than anyone else. The prophecies announced who He is, the city of His birth, what He would do while He was here, the time of His death, and that He would be resurrected. Those who saw, watched, and heard Jesus were amazed with Him. Justin Martyr wrote in First Apology 48, that Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judah, had written a report to Rome in which he said that Jesus Christ had healed diseases, raised the dead, and was crucified by the Jews. So, who is Jesus Christ and why did He come?

God Became A Man

The Bible and history reveal that Jesus was both God and man. Read John 6:18-21 and then answer the questions after the passage.

The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:19-21 (NASB)

1. Which statements reveal Jesus was a man?

 

 

2. Which statements reveal Jesus is God?

 

 

Another important passage about Jesus is Philippians 2:5-8. Read the passage and answer these questions:

3. Before Christ Jesus became a man, what was He according to verses 5-6?

 

 

4. According to verses 7-8, what did Jesus look like when He came to earth?

 

 

5. The Greek word for “emptied”is kenosis. It means the Son of God limited the use of some of His divine attributes. Which attributes did Jesus set aside when He became a man? Circle every one that is true.

a.  The display of His glory (John 17:5)

b.  His divine knowledge and wisdom (Luke 2:40, 52).

c.  His knowledge of the future (Matthew 24:36).

d.  His independent authority (John 4:34; 6:38; Philippians 2:7-8).

e.  His most personal relationship with the Father (Matthew 27:46).

Jesus Was Completely Man

Scripture teaches that Jesus took on human flesh in order to become a man (1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14). Jesus was conceived in the virgin Mary after the angel Gabriel announced to her that she would have a child by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-37). This miracle event was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. Now discover more about Jesus by reading the following verses and answering the questions.

1. What proof does Luke 2:21-23 give us that Jesus was a male?

 

 

2. How is Jesus’ childhood growth described (Luke 2:40, 52)?

 

 

3. How does John 4:6-7 reveal that Jesus was human?

 

 

4. What was Jesus doing that reveals He was human (Mark 4:38)?

 

 

5. In what way does John 11:35 reveal Jesus was human?

 

 

6. Luke 4:2 reveals another way in which Jesus was human. What does it reveal?

 

 

Nicene Creed

7. What physical evidence does John 19:34 provide that Jesus was made of flesh and blood?

 

 

8. What is the ultimate proof that Jesus was human? John 19:33

 

Jesus Was Completely God

There are many verses that reveal Jesus is God. One example is Micah 5:2, which prophesied that the Messiah would be born in the city of Bethlehem Ephrathah. He was born in that city according to Luke 2:1-7. Micah 5:2 also prophesied that He would be “from long ago, from the days of eternity.” That means He had to be God because only God is eternal. So, Micah 5:2 is about Jesus Christ. Fill out the chart “Prophecies About Jesus Christ”:

Prophecies About Jesus our Savior

Now we will discover what the New Testament reveals about Jesus Christ. Here are some important questions to answer:

1. John 1:14-31 tells us that the “Word” refers to which person?

 

 

2. Was Jesus Christ born before John the Baptist? Compare Luke 1:57-59 to Luke 2:6-7.

 

 

3. Compare John 1:1 to John 1:14-15. Who is the Word (two answers)?

 

 

4. According to John 5:18 who did Jesus declare that He was?

 

 

5. John 8:48-58 records a discussion between Jesus and some of the Jewish leaders. The Jewish leaders were angry with Jesus because He said that He existed before Abraham (John 8:58). What does this reveal about Jesus? That He said He was the . . .

 

6. The Jews were angry with Jesus according to John 10:30-33. Why were they angry?

 

 

7. Does John 6:1-13 and John 6:16-21 reveal that Jesus was God or a man? Why?

 

 

8. What is the ultimate proof that Jesus is God (Matthew 28:6-7)?

 

 

9. Who did Thomas think Jesus was (John 20:26-28)?

 

Pontius Pilate Report About Jesus Christ

Other Passages About the Deity of Jesus

There are many passages in the New Testament that reveal Jesus is God. Write out these verses.

Colossians 2:9 —

 

Titus 2:13 —

 

1 John 5:20 —

 

Jesus Had The Attributes of God

The attributes or characteristics of a person help us understand them. Read the following verses and write down one of these attributes about Jesus Christ (omnipotence, omniscience, sovereignty, immutable, holy, truth). Now match the attributes to these verses.

Matthew 8:26-27 and John 14:19 —

 

Mark 2:8 and John 6:64 —

 

Hebrews 13:8 —

 

Matthew 8:26-27 and Matthew 28:18 —

 

John 14:6 —

 

Acts 3:14-15 —

 

So far, you have discovered that Jesus was one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. The Nestorian heresy (A.D. 361) taught that Jesus was God and a man in one body. The Eutychian hersey (A.D. 378-454) taught that Jesus’ divine and human natures merged together in a new one. Both heresies were rejected by the early church. The correct view was adopted by the Chalcedon Council of A.D. 451. It stated that Jesus was one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God. 1 Timothy 2:5 says that Jesus is a man and Titus 2:13 says Jesus is God. 1 John 4:1-3 makes the same statement. Jesus was God and man at the same time always. So, sometimes Scripture refers to Jesus as a man and sometimes as God.

Jesus Was Completely Sinless

Consequently, Scripture says when Jesus was tempted to sin, He never sinned. What do these questions reveal about Him?

1. Hebrews 4:15 is about Jesus. In how many ways was He tempted? Did He commit any sin?

 

 

2. 1 Peter 2:22 reveals that Jesus did not do two things. What were those two things?

 

 

3. 1 John 3:5 says that Jesus came to take away our sin. What else does it say about Him?

 

 

4. Because Jesus was without sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21 says it is now possible for us to become what?

 

Jesus Is Our Savior

The Land was peaceful, beautiful, fun, refreshing, and no one had to work. The creatures enjoyed the beauty and wonder of the Land. The Ruler of the Land had warned the creatures to be careful and watch for the Caretaker of the Land, but the creatures ignored the Ruler’s warning. The Caretaker of the land, encouraged them to rebel against the Ruler’s one and only law, and eventually the creatures foolishly did so. As soon as they disobeyed the Ruler, they knew it, and He came to the foolish creatures. The Ruler of the Land told them their punishment was to be death and hardship. The Ruler had a plan to eventually restore all things. He decided to have his son die for the creatures. The creature is Adam. The Land is the Earth. The disobedience is sin. The evil caretaker is Satan. The Ruler is God and the son is Christ. Because Jesus was the God-man He never sinned. Only He could die for our sins, so that our sins can be forgiven by believing in Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-28). That He did do according to the gospels. So, Jesus died and was resurrected so that those who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven. John 20:30 summarizes the purpose of the gospel of John,

So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30 (NASB)

In the next two studies, you will learn why we need our sins to be forgiven and why Jesus died on the cross.

Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Reign

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us that Jesus died on a cross. The following questions provide a quick summary of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. You will learn more later.

1. According to John 19:17-18 where did Jesus die and how did he die? 

 

 

2. According to John 19:28 -30, when Jesus died, what did He voluntarily do with His spirit?

 

 

3. What happened when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51-54)?

 

 

4. What did the centurion say about Jesus, according to Matthew 27:54?

 

 

After Jesus was crucified on Friday, April 1, A.D. 33, He returned to life on Sunday morning. Then He spent forty days with the disciples (Acts 1:1-5). The disciples asked when He would establish His kingdom (Acts 1:6-8). Jesus told them that God the Father had determined when that would occur. Then He ascended back to heaven as the disciples watched Him go up into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Two angels were present when that happened and told them,

Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. Acts 1:11 (NASB)

In the next two studies, you will learn why we need our sins to be forgiven and why Jesus died on the cross. In another study we will learn that Jesus will return to earth. This event is called the second coming of Christ. When He returns, He will reign as king over the entire world (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). 

Things To Ponder

1. What word in Luke 1:35 reveals that Jesus was God? Why can it only describe God?

 

 

2. After Jesus was born, we are told that some shepherds were visited by angels. How did an angel describe Jesus Christ (Luke 2:10-11)? Why is this important?

 

 

3. Read Matthew 4:1-11. What happened to Jesus and how did He respond? How should you respond?

 

 

4. In Luke 5:24 what did Jesus declare that He had the authority to do? How did He prove it?

 

 

5. What warning did Jesus give us in John 8:24? Are you in danger of dying in your sins? Why?

 

 

6. What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ prove (see Acts 17:31 and Romans 1:4)?

 

 

7. 1 John 4:1-3 says that Jesus came in the flesh. What is the test that reveals Jesus is God?

 

 

8. Some Christians are confused by the expression “son of God.” In John 10:36, Jesus explains that the expression just means that He is God. After reading Hebrews 1:5-8, explain how verse 8 reveals that son of God does mean that Jesus is God.

 

 

9. What does Titus 2:13 say about Jesus? What is the difference between just calling Jesus your Savior, and actually living to please Him because He is your Savior (Romans 10:9-11)?

 

 

10. Is Jesus your Savior and Lord? If so, why?

 

 

The answer key is available for download.

Suggested Links:

Solid Roots Discipleship Series
Introduction To Solid Roots
What Is The Bible? – revelation, inspiration, and inerrancy
Overview of the Books of the Bible – themes and descriptions
How to Study the Bible Step-by-Step
Who Is God? – Trinity, and His attributes