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Who is Jesus?

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Jesus is the son of the Most High God, and is God Himself. He is the one through whom God the Father has sent to free us from the penalty of our sin, who has given us the gift of whole life, eternal life, and salvation. 

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, is of one substance with the Father. He took on the form of a man and was born of a virgin girl named Mary. Jesus therefore lived with two complete and perfect natures: He is both Man and God joined together in one person, never to be divided.

 

During His time on earth He not only performed miraculous healings, raising the dead and controlling the weather, changing water to wine and other amazing feats that only God can perform, but for our sakes He also suffered, was crucified by being hung on a cross with nails through His flesh, He died, and was buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

 

Then He rose again days later and stayed on the earth for more days, proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven and the blessings our our new, restored, perfect life with Him in Heaven after we die.

 

In trying to find words to express their faith in Jesus, the New Testament writers gave him various names.

Jesus was Master, Rabbi, Teacher. He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

In the church's long tradition, scores of other names or titles have been given.

 

Here are five of the most central biblical names for Jesus:

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  • Son of God

  • Son of man

  • Christ

  • Lord

  • Savior

 

Excerpts from United Methodist Member's Handbook, Revised by George Koehler (Discipleship Resources, 2006), pp. 76-77. Used by permission.

Who is God?

 

God is transcendent (over and beyond all that is), yet at the same time immanent (present in everything). God is omnipresent (everywhere at once), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omniscient (all-knowing). God is absolute, infinite, righteous, just, loving, merciful…and more. God is Love or Light or Truth.

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  • God Creates

  • God Sustains

  • God Loves

  • God Suffers

  • God Judges

  • God Redeems

  • God Reigns

 

When all is done, if we have difficulty in imagining who God is or in relating to God, there's a simple solution: Remember Jesus—for in the New Testament picture of Jesus, we see God.

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Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, we say that it's the Holy Spirit at work.

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In guidance, comfort, and strength

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As one of our creeds puts it, "We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, for comfort, and for strength" (The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 884). We sense the Spirit in time alone—perhaps in prayer, in our study of the Scriptures, in reflection on a difficult decision, or in the memory of a loved one. 

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Source:  United Methodist Member's Handbook, revised by George Koehler (Discipleship Resources, 2006), pp. 72-73. Used by permission.  

In the gifts we receive

How does the Holy Spirit affect our lives? By changing us! By renewing us and by strengthening us for the work of ministry.

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  • Fruits: Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). What sort of fruit? Paul asserts that "the fruit of the Spirit is

    • love,

    • joy,

    • peace,

    • patience,

    • kindness,

    • generosity,

    • faithfulness,

    • gentleness,

    • and self-control" (Galatians 5:22).

  • Gifts: Paul also writes that the Spirit bestows spiritual gifts on believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 he lists nine, which vary from one person to another:

    • the utterance of wisdom,

    • the utterance of knowledge,

    • faith,

    • healing,

    • working of miracles,

    • prophecy,

    • the discernment of spirits,

    • various kinds of tongues,

    • and the interpretation of tongues.

 

 

From United Methodist Member's Handbook, Revised by George Koehler (Discipleship Resources, 2006), pp. 84-85. Used by permission.

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