THE CHURCH IN PROGRESS

JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

The position of Jesus is given greater prominence in the New Testament than the attributes of prophet, priest and king. He is declared to be “The Christ, The Son of God.” Matthew, in concluding the genealogy of the Old Testament worthies brings us through fourteen generations from Abraham to David, and fourteen from the exile to “the Christ” (Matt. 1:17).

Then, when King Herod thought that the infant Jesus was a threat to his earthly throne, he called the eastern travelers to Jerusalem – the Magi, to him and asked, “Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:1). From this time forward until Jesus identity was fully known, the great question on all minds was – is Jesus the Christ?”

Near the end of his public ministry, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” As he listened to their answers, he finally turned to his disciples and asked: “What about you; who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:13-16). It was quite apparent that the Apostles, those closest to him, were not yet ready to accept this statement as the truth. Since they had not yet grasped this great principle, Jesus charged his disciples that they should tell no man that He was the Christ.” (Matt. 16:20).

The purpose of the synoptic gospel was to narrate the story of the life of Jesus. But the purpose of the gospel of John was to portray Jesus as the Christ. John says, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book (gospel of John). But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and by believing you may have life in his name” (Jn. 20:30).

Later, after Jesus arose from the dead, he met with his disciples and “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:45,46).

These scriptures impress upon us that we must worship the Christ both in substance and in form. In substance, we worship him as the Christ – the person who is the Son of the Living God. In form, we worship him exactly as revealed in His will or word. This takes depth of conviction as to his nature and his will.

In Mark’s account of Peter’s Confession, the second phrase is omitted (Mk. 8:29). It simply records that Peter said: “Thou art the Christ.” By connecting the two accounts of Matthew and Mark, we must conclude that the term “the Christ” implies his being the Son of the living God. The definite article associated with the noun admits only one. So “the Christ” of Mark’s account carries with it the same qualities as that of Matthew. The second phrase, then is included in the great confession of Peter in both accounts.

- Gene A. Ellmore -