Question 1

Who does the Bible say Jesus is?

Accepted Answer

In the Bible, Jesus is identified as the Son of God, the Messiah (Christ), and the Savior of humanity. According to Protestant theology, Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, a foundational belief known as the hypostatic union. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration of Jesus' divine nature, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, NIV). This passage underscores Jesus' eternal existence and divine status. Furthermore, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the promised Messiah who reconciles humanity to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection. In Matthew 16:16, the apostle Peter confesses, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (NIV), affirming Jesus' messianic role. Additionally, Jesus' resurrection is central to His identity, as it confirms His power over sin and death, offering eternal life to believers (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the embodiment of God's love and the central figure in God's redemptive plan for the world.

Question 2

Who is God according to the Bible?

Accepted Answer

According to the Bible, God is the supreme, eternal, and unchanging Creator of the universe, who is both transcendent and immanent. In Protestant and Orthodox theology, God is understood as a Trinity, comprising the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons sharing one divine essence. God's nature is revealed as holy, loving, just, and merciful. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (NIV), emphasizing His role as the Creator. God is also depicted as omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, with a personal nature that desires a relationship with humanity.

The Bible portrays God as love, as detailed in 1 John 4:8, which declares, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (NIV). This emphasizes His relational aspect and willingness to engage with His creation. The incarnation of Jesus Christ, central to both Protestant and Orthodox beliefs, represents God's ultimate act of love and redemption, offering salvation to humanity through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit, present from creation, continues to guide and empower believers. Thus, God, as described in the Bible, is a complex, relational being who is actively involved in the world and the lives of individuals.

Question 3

Was Judas Iscariot truly one of Jesus' disciples?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Judas Iscariot was truly one of Jesus' disciples. In both Protestant and Orthodox traditions, Judas is recognized as one of the original Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus. The Gospels explicitly list Judas among the Twelve, affirming his role as a disciple (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). These passages detail Jesus calling and empowering his disciples, including Judas, to preach and perform miracles.

Despite his eventual betrayal, Judas was an integral part of Jesus' ministry. He was entrusted with responsibilities, such as managing the group's finances (John 12:6), indicating a level of trust and inclusion among the disciples. Theologically, Judas' role is complex; while his actions fulfill prophecy (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18), they also reflect human free will and moral failure.

Orthodox and Protestant perspectives acknowledge that Judas' betrayal does not negate his initial calling as a disciple. Instead, his story serves as a profound narrative about the potential for both faith and failure within the human experience. Ultimately, Judas' inclusion among the Twelve highlights themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility within the biblical narrative.

Question 4

Who is Jesus Christ according to the Bible?

Accepted Answer

Jesus Christ, according to the Bible, is the central figure of Christianity, regarded as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. In both Protestant and Orthodox theology, He is recognized as fully divine and fully human, a core doctrine known as the hypostatic union. The Gospel of John begins by affirming His divine nature, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, NIV). This passage emphasizes His preexistence and deity, aligning with the belief that Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, co-eternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, and resurrection are pivotal to His mission of redeeming humanity from sin. Philippians 2:6-8 highlights His humility and obedience, stating that "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant." Through His sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, Jesus provides salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing a new covenant between God and humanity.

Bible Questions & Answers

Top Bible Questions

Who does the Bible say Jesus is?

Who is God according to the Bible?

Was Judas Iscariot truly one of Jesus' disciples?

Who is Jesus Christ according to the Bible?