New guy here, with a new guy question. Background: I'm a longtime Christian, and I've spent a lot of time over the years studying the bible and various Christian books. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But lately I've been mulling over a rather troubling question:
Is Jesus God?
I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:
Jesus is God:
Jesus isn't God:
Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?
What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?
(Sorry for the extremely long question. )
Is Jesus God?
I have thoughts on both sides of the fence concerning this question:
Jesus is God:
- Jesus forgave sins. (Matt 9:2)
- Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
- Jesus performed miracles.
- Jesus knew thoughts. (Luke 5:22)
Jesus isn't God:
- Jesus prayed to God. (Matt 26:36)
- Jesus "knows" the father. (Matt 11:27)
- God was well pleased with his son. (Mark 1:11)
- Jesus' Father’s house has many rooms. (John 14:2)
- No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (John 14:2)
- "If you really know me, you WILL know my Father as well." (John 14:2; emphasis added on WILL)
- "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing ... because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
- you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. (Mark 14:62)
- Jesus was a human man on earth (before crucifixion) born of a human mother, Mary.
Where I am now in my beliefs: I love Jesus, and hope to meet him someday. I believe Jesus died for my sins, ushering in a new era for humanity. I believe his ascension into heaven is the reason the holy spirit was sent to man. I believe we are saved through Jesus by repenting, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and having faith in God. I believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus (Matt 14:20). But I don't necessarily think this means Jesus is God. Does faith require that we think Jesus is God?
What are the implications, to me, of having this belief and these questions? Is such belief acceptable to Christian churches?
(Sorry for the extremely long question. )