Is Jesus God or Man?

Full Episode Transcript

Brother Richie Juatco: Some things in life have only two possible states, categories, or options—like the two sides of a coin, true or false, on or off, odd or even. When there are genuinely only two possibilities, being in one state necessarily means that you are not in the other. One excludes the other. There is no third option, no overlapping, no gray area, no middle ground. It cannot be both. It cannot be neither. So when considering the true nature and state of being of the true God and mankind whom He created, should we understand God’s nature as something that goes beyond these two mutually exclusive possibilities as some people believe? 

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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Is Jesus God or Man

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The Message

Brother Richie: Hi. Thank you for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

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Is Jesus God or Man?

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vazquez. 

The Almighty God, in His divine being or nature, is the Creator of all living beings. And He created them according to their own distinct natures, like the plants, animals, and human beings or mankind. So logically speaking, can a particular being be in the same state or nature of God and of mankind? Although many would like to answer this question with their own personal viewpoints or their own opinions, we here inside the Church Of Christ always want the answers to come from the Bible.

So Brother Richie, how does the Bible differentiate between God and mankind, that God Himself created? 

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What’s the difference between God and mankind?

Brother Richie: Well, since we want the Bible’s answer, we’ll go ahead and read it. We’ll read what is recorded here in the Book of Numbers, chapter 23, the verse is 19. It says this, 

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

[Numbers 23:19 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: The Bible is quite clear and definitive regarding what God is not. We read, ”God is not a man.” 

Brother Mark: People lie either because they mistakenly say the wrong thing, don’t know what is true, or have an evil nature. 

Brother Richie: That’s correct. And all these are not the case with God, Who knows all things, does not make mistakes, and is holy.

Brother Mark: So what else does the Bible teach about God? 

Brother Richie: Well, we read that, “God is not a man… Nor a son of man.” How can God be a son of man when He does not come from man? God does not come from man, but rather it’s the other way—man comes from God.

Brother Mark: So how did God Himself describe His nature or state of being? 

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How did God describe His nature or state of being?

Brother Richie: Let’s read what He teaches. We’ll read here in Hosea, chapter 11, the verse is 9. He said, 

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.

[Hosea 11:9 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here we see how God describes the things He will not do because of His divine nature. What did God make clear? He said, “For I am God.”

Brother Mark: And how did He emphasize Him being God? 

Brother Richie: He’s the one that said, “and not man.” 

Brother Mark: So how did God emphasize Himself as Him not being God? 

Brother Richie: He’s the one that said, “and not man.” Therefore, according to God, there is no way anyone should mistake Him for being man. They are not the same being. They are not the same nature. 

Brother Mark: Well, how about the human beings that God created? If He will not allow Himself to become man, will He allow man to become God? 

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Does God allow man to become God?

Brother Richie: That’s a good question, because He’s the one that created mankind. It’s almost like switching it around. Does He allow man to be God? Let’s continue to read what He teaches. Here in Ezekiel now, chapter 28, the verse is 2,

“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god

[Ezekiel 28:2 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here, God makes perfectly clear the state of being of mankind, regardless of how people feel. What did God say to the prince of Tyre? He said, “Though you set your heart as the heart of a god,” what is the truth nonetheless? He said, “you are a man, and not a god.” So according to the Bible, being God and being man, or human, are mutually exclusive; meaning, being one logically excludes the other. There is no overlapping, no gray area, there is no middle category.

Now with this proper biblical understanding, Brother Mark, how does the Bible describe our Lord Jesus Christ? Does the Bible teach that Jesus Christ is God?

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How did Apostle Peter describe Jesus Christ? 

Brother Mark: Well, that’s a good question. Let’s read the testimonies of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, those that lived with him when he was here on earth. How did Apostle Peter describe Jesus Christ? Let’s read that here in the book of Acts. We’ll read Acts, 2, and the verse is 22,

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

[Acts 2:22 New King James Version

Brother Mark: Here we read about the miracles, wonders, and signs, the Bible told us, “which God did.” And how did God perform these miracles? Well, we read, “through Him.”

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, who is the “Him” being referred to there? Who is the one God used as His instrument in performing those miracles? 

Brother Mark: We read here, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And how did Apostle Peter describe the Lord Jesus Christ? He said here, “a Man.” So, Jesus Christ being a man is proof that He is not God.

Brother Richie: Well, of course that is according to Apostle Peter. Was Apostle Peter the only one that taught that truth? 

Brother Mark: No, it was not just Apostle Peter. Even other apostles also taught this truth.

Brother Richie: So how about Apostle Paul? What did Apostle Paul teach about the Lord Jesus Christ? 

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How did Apostle Paul describe Jesus Christ? 

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read what Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy. Let’s read here in 1 Timothy. We’ll read 2 and the verse is 5,

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

[1 Timothy 2:5 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Apostle Paul makes clear that there is only, “one God.” It also clarifies the position of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read, Christ is, the Bible said here, the “one mediator between God and mankind.”

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, being the only mediator in between—between God and man—would that make our Lord Jesus Christ part God and part man? 

Brother Mark: Oh, no. This verse that we just read, it clears any confusion by stating that the one and only mediator, it says here, is “the man Christ Jesus.” Also, when Paul declared this, the Lord Jesus Christ was already in heaven. So once again, Jesus Christ is described as a man or human being by his apostles.

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Is Jesus God or Man? 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And we should understand, as human beings, we all go through a growth process which started when we were conceived, and then born, as an infant, grew in stages of childhood, adolescence, and then adulthood. So, Brother Mark, did our Lord Jesus Christ also go through that process that we all went through as well? 

Brother Mark: You know, that process that you were just talking about, Brother Richie, that’s also a proof that someone is not God.

Brother Richie: That’s right. 

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Did Christ experience the normal stages of human life? 

Brother Mark: So, let’s read. Did the Lord Jesus Christ also go through this process? We’ll read here, according to Apostle Matthew, another apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ll read here in the Book of Matthew, we’ll read 1, and then we’ll read verse 18. This is what was written by Apostle Matthew,

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

[Matthew 1:18 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here, Apostle Matthew teaches about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He mentions that, “His mother Mary… was found with child,” describing the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, despite what anyone might say or believe about Christ, His apostles attest that He is a man or human being. Like all of us, Christ was born at one point and was a child.

Brother Richie: Now, although the testimony of Christ’s apostles regarding his nature, or state of being, are more than enough evidence of the truth. The strongest evidence or testimony about Christ is His own testimony. So, Brother Mark, how did our Lord Jesus Christ identify Himself? How did He describe Himself? 

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How did Christ describe Himself? 

Brother Mark: That’s true. He is the best one to ask. So, let’s read how the Lord Jesus Christ introduced Himself. We’ll read that in the Book of John. We’ll read John, 8, and we’ll read verse 40,

But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

[John 8:40 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here, the Lord Jesus Christ addressed those who refused to believe what He was teaching. What did he say to them? He said, “you seek to kill Me.” 

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, how did our Lord Jesus Christ describe Himself, which makes it possible for Him to be killed? 

Brother Mark: Well, He said here, “Me, a Man.” And what detail did Christ specify about Himself, other than being a human being or a man? Well, He said that he was “a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God.” So, not only did Christ clarify that He’s a man, He made the distinction between Himself and God. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. Now, Christ being a man that heard the truth from God is not the same as the God who He heard the truth from. Christ is different from God. The truth that Christ is a man proves that He is not God. There’s no validity to the term “dual-nature God” that some people use.

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Is Jesus God or Man? 

Brother Mark: Now, it’s no wonder, Brother Richie, the mystery that many people today have a different belief about Christ from what is written in the Bible. The overwhelming majority of people, who call themselves Christians, believe that Christ is God or that he is both man and God. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And you know, the people that believe that, well, there is a question that they need to answer. The question is, “Who would you rather believe?” Would you believe the people today who teach that Christ is God, or the teachings of Christ Himself and His apostles?

Brother Mark: So, since the Lord Jesus Christ is not God, according to the Bible, who did Jesus Christ teach is God? 

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Who did Christ teach is the true God? 

Brother Richie: Well, we’ll read the answer of our Lord Jesus Christ. We’ll actually read one of His prayers in the Book of John, chapter 17. We’ll read verses 1 and 3. It says this, 

After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you… And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

[John 17:1, 3 Good News Translation]

Brother Richie: Here, we read what the Lord Jesus Christ said to the One in heaven when our Lord Jesus Christ was still here on earth. What did our Lord Jesus Christ call the One in heaven? Well, we read, “he looked up to heaven and said, “Father.” What did Christ say to the Father in heaven? He said, “eternal life means to know you.”

Brother Mark: But Brother Richie, what must be known about the Father in heaven in order to receive eternal life? 

Brother Richie: Well, He said, “to know you, the only true God.” Now, because our Lord Jesus Christ taught that the Father is the only true God, He has eliminated all other options of anyone else being God. The Father alone is the true God. This biblical truth must be understood or accepted in order to, as we read, receive eternal life.

Brother Mark: That’s correct. But let’s also notice, what else must people know in order to receive eternal life? 

Brother Richie: Well, we also read that, “to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” So again, our Lord Jesus Christ makes a clear distinction between Himself and God. Jesus clarifies that the Father is the only true God and that He is the one sent by the only true God. 

Brother Mark: So it’s very clear, God is not a man. So how did the Lord Jesus Christ describe the nature or state of being of the Father or of the only true God? 

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Who did Christ teach about the nature or state of being God? 

Brother Richie: So again, since our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us about God, what is it that He teaches regarding the state of being of the only true God? Let’s read from what’s written in the Book of John, chapter 4, and the verse is 24. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, 

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

[John 4:24 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches that “God is spirit.” 

Brother Mark: So since God is spirit, what is one of the differences He has with mankind that He created? 

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Brother Richie: Well, let’s keep getting our answer from our Lord Jesus Christ. He actually shows that difference. We’ll read here in Luke, 24 and the verse is 39. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, 

Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

[Luke 24:39 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So, since Christ taught that God is spirit, how did He describe a spirit? Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones.” So this is the reason why we cannot see the nature of God with our eyes. Since God has no flesh and bones, there is no material to see.

Brother Mark: That’s right, Brother Richie. We know that God is invisible and that’s also stated in 1 Timothy 1:17. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And this is also the reason why God and human beings, that He created, are completely different, or mutually exclusive. It is only one or the other. As we mentioned before, there’s no overlapping. There’s no gray area. There’s no middle category. 

Brother Mark: So who did the Lord Jesus Christ use as an example then, as an example of one who has flesh and bones because of being a man and not God, because God is a spirit. 

Brother Richie: Well, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” So once again, Jesus Christ makes crystal clear the difference between His nature and the nature of the only true God—the Father—who is a spirit. 

Brother Mark: These biblical teachings are not difficult to understand. So, it’s not necessary to give a personal interpretation of the verses one way or another. The Father is the only true God and Jesus Christ is the man that He sent to teach us His truth. 

Brother Richie: For us here inside the Church Of Christ, we continuously relay these biblical truths to everyone, because according to the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the means to receive eternal life. And this is our hope for everyone hearing this message.

Brother Mark: We invite and encourage you to come and visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible. 

Brother Richie: And if you’re already going through those lessons, or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. 

Keep watching and growing with us and stay constantly tuned in to The Message. 

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we are very grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Richie:  Our Heavenly Father, our God, we are very grateful to You for allowing us to hear Your truth that is written in the Bible. We were able to understand regarding Yourself and mankind that You have created. We praise You for the wisdom that You do give to us, and we continue to honor Your most holy name.

We’re asking You, please, allow this truth to remain with us. We know that there are many things in this world that will try to get us to think differently, to try to get us away from Your biblical teachings. Help us to be strong, especially our friends and relatives that are listening, dear Father. Please let them feel that it is You, because of Your compassion, You are bringing them the truth written in Your holy scriptures. 

And we do ask our Lord Jesus Christ, we approach You, because as we learned, You are the only mediator to God. Please mediate on our behalf. Bring to our God, bring to the Father our thanks and praise. And help us, dear Lord, to be able to clearly understand who You are and the differences in regards to our God that has created all of us. 

Our Father, we believe You hear our prayer. We ask that You continue to watch over us, watch over Your nation in these last days, the Church Of Christ, and help us to continue to grow stronger in our conviction of Your holy teachings. 

We pray for all these things through the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen. 

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