Who is Jesus Christ? This question is the most important you'll ever answer because your eternal destiny depends on your response. Jesus isn't merely a good teacher, moral example, or religious founder—He is the eternal Son of God who became fully human without ceasing to be fully divine. This truth, called the hypostatic union, is Christianity's foundational doctrine. Get Jesus wrong, and you miss salvation. Get Jesus right, and you find eternal life.

John 1:1, 14 declares this mystery: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." The Word (Jesus) was God from eternity, yet He became flesh and dwelt among us. Fully God, fully man—two natures in one person forever.

This comprehensive exploration examines Scripture's testimony about Jesus' deity, His humanity, how these natures unite in one person, and why this truth matters eternally for every person.

The Full Deity of Jesus Christ

Jesus Is Called God

Scripture explicitly identifies Jesus as God multiple times, using the most sacred titles reserved exclusively for Deity.

John 20:28 records Thomas's confession after seeing the risen Christ: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." Thomas called Jesus "my God" (*ho theos mou* in Greek—the strongest identification possible). Jesus accepted this worship without correction, confirming His deity.

Titus 2:13 speaks of "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." The Greek grammar (Granville Sharp's rule) indicates "the great God" and "our Saviour Jesus Christ" refer to the same person—Jesus is the great God.

Hebrews 1:8 records the Father addressing the Son: "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." God the Father calls God the Son "God," establishing Jesus' full deity.

Isaiah 9:6 prophesies Christ's birth with divine titles: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." The coming child would be called "The mighty God"—full deity in human form.

Jesus Possesses Divine Attributes

Jesus demonstrates attributes that belong only to God, proving His divine nature:

Omniscience (All-Knowing): John 16:30 records the disciples' realization: "Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God." Jesus knows all things. John 2:24-25 adds: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." He knew all people's hearts without anyone telling Him.

Omnipresence (Everywhere Present): Matthew 28:20 records Jesus' promise: "and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Jesus can be with all believers simultaneously, everywhere, always—requiring omnipresence. Matthew 18:20 promises: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." He is present wherever believers gather globally.

Omnipotence (All-Powerful): Matthew 28:18 declares: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." All power in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus. Revelation 1:8 records His words: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Jesus is the Almighty—a title belonging to God alone.

Immutability (Unchanging): Hebrews 13:8 affirms: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Jesus never changes—an attribute of deity alone. Hebrews 1:10-12 applies Psalm 102 (about Yahweh) to Jesus: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Creation changes; Jesus remains the same forever.

Eternity (No Beginning or End): John 8:58 records Jesus' claim: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." Using God's name ("I AM" from Exodus 3:14), Jesus claimed eternal preexistence. Micah 5:2 prophesies His eternality: "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Christ's origins are "from everlasting"—eternal deity.

Jesus Performs Divine Works

Jesus performs works that only God can do, demonstrating His divine power and authority:

Creation: John 1:3 declares: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Jesus created everything. Colossians 1:16 explains: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Everything—visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly—was created by Jesus and for Jesus.

Sustaining Creation: Colossians 1:17 continues: "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Jesus holds creation together. Hebrews 1:3 adds: "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Jesus upholds (sustains) all things by His powerful word.

Forgiving Sins: Mark 2:5-7 records the controversy: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?" The scribes were right—only God forgives sins. Jesus proved His authority to forgive by healing the paralytic, demonstrating His deity.

Raising the Dead: John 11:43-44 describes Jesus raising Lazarus: "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." Jesus commanded a four-day-dead corpse back to life—divine power over death. John 5:21 explains: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will." Jesus gives life to whom He wills, just as the Father does.

Judging Humanity: John 5:22, 27 declares: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son... And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." All judgment has been committed to Jesus. Acts 17:31 confirms: "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." Jesus will judge the entire world—a divine prerogative.

The Full Humanity of Jesus Christ

Jesus Was Born as a Human Baby

Despite being eternal God, Jesus entered human existence through natural birth (though conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit).

Luke 2:6-7 records: "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Jesus was born as any human baby—wrapped in cloths, laid in a manger, helpless and dependent.

Galatians 4:4 explains the incarnation: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." God's Son was "made of a woman"—born through normal human gestation and delivery. Matthew 1:18 clarifies the conception: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, yet fully human.

Jesus Possessed a Human Body, Soul, and Spirit

Jesus wasn't God appearing to be human (Docetism) or God inhabiting a human shell (Apollinarianism). He possessed complete human nature—body, soul, and spirit.

Physical Body: Luke 24:39 records Jesus' words to His disciples: "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Jesus had real flesh and bones. Hebrews 2:14 affirms: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same." Jesus shared our flesh-and-blood humanity.

Human Soul: Matthew 26:38 reveals Jesus' soul: "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Jesus possessed a human soul capable of sorrow. John 12:27 records: "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." His soul experienced trouble and turmoil.

Human Spirit: Luke 23:46 records Jesus' final words: "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Jesus had a human spirit He committed to the Father at death. John 11:33 says: "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled." He groaned in His human spirit.

Jesus Experienced Human Limitations and Conditions

In His humanity (not His deity), Jesus experienced genuine human limitations:

Growth and Development: Luke 2:52 describes Jesus' childhood: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Jesus grew physically (stature) and intellectually (wisdom) as any human child.

Hunger: Matthew 4:2 records: "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred." Jesus experienced genuine hunger. Matthew 21:18 adds: "Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered."

Thirst: John 19:28 records from the cross: "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." Jesus experienced thirst. John 4:7 earlier showed Him asking the Samaritan woman for water because He was thirsty.

Fatigue: John 4:6 states: "Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour." Jesus grew weary from walking and needed rest. Mark 4:38 describes Him sleeping: "And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow."

Emotions: John 11:35 records: "Jesus wept." He experienced genuine sorrow and shed tears. Mark 3:5 describes Him "looking round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts." Jesus felt anger and grief. Matthew 9:36 says: "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them." He experienced compassion. Luke 22:44 describes His agony: "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Jesus experienced psychological and physical agony.

Temptation: Hebrews 4:15 affirms: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Jesus was tempted in all points like us, experiencing genuine temptation (though never sinning). Matthew 4:1-11 describes Satan's temptations of Jesus in the wilderness—real temptations He resisted successfully.

Death: Philippians 2:8 describes Jesus' ultimate human experience: "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus died—the ultimate human limitation. John 19:30, 33 confirms: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost... But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs." Jesus died a real, physical death.

The Hypostatic Union: Two Natures, One Person

Jesus Is Fully God AND Fully Man Simultaneously

The hypostatic union is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is one person with two distinct natures—divine and human—united forever without mixture, confusion, separation, or division. He's not half-God and half-man, not sometimes God and sometimes man, not God appearing as man—He's fully both simultaneously and eternally.

1 Timothy 3:16 calls this truth a "mystery": "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." God was manifested in flesh—deity expressed through humanity, one person with two natures.

Romans 1:3-4 describes both natures: "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." According to flesh (human nature), Jesus descended from David. According to spirit (divine nature), He is the Son of God.

Romans 9:5 places both natures in one sentence: "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." Christ came from the Jewish fathers according to the flesh (humanity), yet He is "over all, God blessed for ever" (deity). Both natures united in one person.

The Two Natures Remain Distinct

While united in one person, Jesus' divine and human natures remain distinct. They don't mix to create a third nature (not part-God, part-human, but fully both). Each nature retains its properties:

Divine Nature: Remains omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, immutable, and infinite. This nature cannot die, doesn't learn, never changes, and possesses all divine attributes fully.

Human Nature: Remains finite, localized, subject to growth, capable of suffering, able to die, and possessing all genuine human properties (except sin).

Colossians 2:9 affirms: "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." All the fullness of Deity dwells in Jesus bodily—complete divinity in genuine humanity. The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) defined this: Christ is "acknowledged in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union."

Actions Can Be Attributed to Different Natures

Some of Jesus' actions and statements relate to His human nature, others to His divine nature, but all belong to the one person.

Divine Nature: Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58)—eternal preexistence (divine nature). He claimed, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30)—unity with God (divine nature). He promised, "I am with you alway" (Matthew 28:20)—omnipresence (divine nature).

Human Nature: Jesus said, "I thirst" (John 19:28)—physical need (human nature). He declared, "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28)—positional submission as the incarnate Son (human nature). He admitted, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mark 13:32)—voluntary limitation in His human consciousness during His earthly ministry (human nature).

These statements aren't contradictory but refer to different aspects of Christ's person—some to His divine nature, others to His human nature or His role as the incarnate Son.

Why Jesus' Identity Matters Eternally

Salvation Depends on Believing the Truth About Jesus

John 8:24 records Jesus' sobering warning: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Believing wrongly about Jesus results in dying in your sins—eternal separation from God. Right belief about Jesus is essential for salvation.

1 John 4:2-3 provides a test: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist." Denying Jesus came in the flesh (true humanity united with deity) is antichrist. True faith confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh—the incarnation of the eternal Son.

2 John 1:7 warns: "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Those who deny Christ's incarnation are deceivers working against Christ. This isn't a minor theological disagreement—it's central to salvation.

Jesus Alone Provides Salvation

Acts 4:12 declares: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." No other name saves. Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not good works, not religion—only Jesus.

John 14:6 records Jesus' exclusive claim: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus is the only way to the Father. Not one way among many, but the only way. This exclusivity flows from His unique person—the God-man who died and rose again.

1 Timothy 2:5 explains: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." One mediator—not many. Why? Because only the God-man can bridge the gap between holy God and sinful humanity. His divine nature satisfies God's justice; His human nature represents us.

Rejecting Jesus Means Rejecting God

1 John 2:23 warns: "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." You cannot have the Father while rejecting the Son. They're inseparable. Denying Jesus means denying God, regardless of religious claims.

John 5:23 records Jesus' words: "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." Failing to honor Jesus means failing to honor God. Religious devotion to "God" that excludes Jesus doesn't honor God but insults Him by rejecting His Son.

Matthew 10:32-33 presents the ultimate choice: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Jesus will confess or deny us before the Father based on whether we confess or deny Him. Our eternal destiny hangs on our response to Jesus.

Ignorance Is Not an Excuse

Acts 17:30-31 declares: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." God commands all people everywhere to repent. Past ignorance is ended. The resurrection provides assurance. Judgment is coming. Repentance is required.

Romans 1:20 removes the ignorance excuse: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Creation reveals God's existence and deity. People are without excuse. Willful ignorance doesn't absolve guilt.

John 3:18-19 explains the judgment basis: "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Unbelievers are already condemned. Why? Because light (Jesus) came, and they loved darkness instead. It's not ignorance but willful rejection.

How Should We Respond to Jesus?

Confess Him as Lord and Savior

Romans 10:9-10 describes saving faith: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Confess Jesus as Lord (deity), believe God raised Him (resurrection), and you'll be saved.

Philippians 2:10-11 prophesies universal acknowledgment: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Eventually, everyone will confess Jesus as Lord—believers willingly now, unbelievers unwillingly at judgment. Better to confess Him now in faith than later in judgment.

Worship Him as God

Hebrews 1:6 commands angels to worship Jesus: "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." If angels worship Jesus, shouldn't we? Revelation 5:11-14 describes heavenly worship: "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing... And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." Heaven worships the Lamb (Jesus) who was slain. Join heaven's worship now.

Obey Him as Lord

Luke 6:46 records Jesus' question: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Calling Jesus "Lord" without obeying Him is hypocrisy. True faith produces obedience. John 14:15 states: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Love for Jesus expresses itself through obedience to His commands.

James 2:19 warns against mere intellectual belief: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." Demons believe in God intellectually but don't obey. True faith produces transformation and obedience, not merely intellectual agreement.

Proclaim Him to Others

Matthew 10:32 commands: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Confess Jesus before others. Don't hide your faith. Romans 10:14 asks: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" People can't believe without hearing. They can't hear without someone telling them. Will you tell them?

Mark 16:15 commands: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Preach the gospel to everyone. Jesus' identity and work must be proclaimed so others can believe and be saved.

The Glorious Mystery

1 Timothy 3:16 summarizes: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The incarnation is a great mystery—God manifest in flesh. We can't fully comprehend how deity and humanity unite in one person, but we can believe it because Scripture clearly teaches it.

Jesus Christ is not a mere man, not an angel, not a prophet, not a good teacher—He is the eternal God who became fully human without ceasing to be fully divine. This truth is Christianity's foundation. Get it wrong, and you lose everything. Get it right, and you gain eternal life.

John 20:31 states the purpose of the Gospel: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and you'll have eternal life through His name.

The question remains: Who do you say Jesus is? How you answer determines your eternal destiny. Will you confess Him as Lord today? Will you trust Him as the only Savior? The God-man who died for you and rose again invites you to believe and live. Respond in faith today.