The Most Important Question: Who Is Jesus?

Jesus Himself asked this most important question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) Peter was the only one among those present with the correct answer. He declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16).”

Christian denominations, excluding Christian cults, believe that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity. Some other major religions acknowledge the historicity of Jesus but reject His deity. Jews, for example, recognize Jesus but do not think he was God or a prophet. Muslims not only acknowledge Jesus but also accept Him as a Prophet of God.

The one main thing that makes a Christian cult a cult is how it views Jesus. They have the wrong answer to the most important question.

Jehovah Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God but rather a created being. They believe that in His pre-existent state he was Michael the Archangel. After His crucifixion God raised Jesus as a spirit being.

Mormons believe Jesus is a god among many gods. In Mormonism men, not women, can become a god. In early Mormon writings the “Adam God” teaching stated that the mortal Adam of the Garden of Eden was resurrected and exalted and became the god of this earth. Other exalted men will have other planets to rule. Sorry ladies.

Christian Scientists believe that Jesus is divine or a manifestation of the divine principle, but not God. Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health With Keys to the Scriptures, presents the foundational teachings of Christian Science. It states: “Jesus Christ is not God, as Jesus himself declared, but is the Son of God” (Science and Health, 361:12-13). Jesus is the name of the man who, more than any other men, has presented Christ, the true idea of God, healing the sick and sinning, and destroying the power of death. (Science and Health, 473:10-17.)

New Agers accept Jesus as a guru, a great teacher, or even a magician. Again, this is the wrong answer.

Jesus is God. He claimed to be God. How we answer the question as to who He is determines where we spend eternity: heaven or hell.

The question now is: Who do you say Jesus is?