Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/6/2007

Question
Cooper,

Thank you so much for the helping me understand the issue of marriage. In looking at you last answer about how one becomes a Baptist, I was left with another question. I hope you can expound on it.

Is it the believe in God that is central to all this or Jesus? While I believe in God (an act of faith), and I know from historical record that Jesus did exist I wonder about his claim as being the son of God. And what of the other prophets, how do they fit into the religion?  

Answer
  Hi Chance,

   The important question is how to become a Christian.  After one receives Christ as their Savior they should join a good Bible believing church.  The Fundamental Baptist churches are those that stick closest to following the Bible.  So to become a Baptist, one must first become a Christian.

          Speaking of Jesus Christ, the New Testament says “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

  Jesus Himself said, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

  When Philip preached to the Ethiopian Eunuch the man believed and asked could he be baptized.  Philip replied, “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37)

  “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.” (John 3:18)

  The Bible is very clear that salvation is only through belief in Jesus Christ.    “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18)

            Only Jesus Christ was God come to earth and incarnate in man.  Only He was perfect and could atone for our sins.  So it was Christ that in suffering, dying and being raised on the third day, that made the payment for sin and offers man salvation free by His grace.

  We know that Jesus is God’s only begotten Son, because the Bible says so.  “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh”  (Romans 8:3)

  The name Son of God refers to Jesus’ deity and equality with the Father (John 5:18; 10:31-33; Philippians 2:5,6). "Son of God" is a reference to the Trinity--God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).   The Lord Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, meaning He is alone in His special relationship to the Father. He is not like those who become children of God through adoption.   He is eternal, without beginning (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1). He created all things, and without Him was not anything made that was made, meaning He Himself was not created (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).   He reveals God to men (John 1:18). Christians become sons of God through faith in Christ, but Jesus is forever higher and distinct from the Christian (1 Timothy 6:14-16; Hebrew 7:25,26). Even in eternity, He is on the throne, and His people serve Him (Revelation 22:3).

  Prophets, Apostles, pastors, etc were men and God used them as messengers.  In both the Old and New Testaments God used certain men reveal Himself to the world.   

  God’s promise to us is   “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:6-9)   

  Without strength means without the ability to save ourselves.   It simply means that Jesus Christ loved us and suffered and died for man’s sin, even when man was sinning against him.  He is the only One who can forgive our sins and give us eternal life.   So to be saved God simply tells us to believe His word and accept the salvation He offers.

  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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.”   (John 3:16-18)

  You have asked good questions.  I hope I have explained the answer clearly and so that you can understand.    I welcome any further questions.
In Christ,
Cooper Abrams