The Real Jesus: Heresies

By Pastor Alex Ruelo

John 1:1-14 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

The Word is Jesus and He was God the Son who became man. Before we can see the truth, we must clear the fog of history. Throughout the centuries, people have tried to make Jesus “make sense” by leaning too far into one side of His identity. Is He man? Or is He God? Th reality of Jesus’ person is important because He must be who He really is in order to do what He was intended to do.

There are many heresies that say Jesus is either man or God, or half man and half God, or god and man in one person. That simply cannot be. Because of all the debates, a council in 451AD has resolved the issue by saying that Jesus is 100% man and 100% God too. He is truly God and truly man, opposing such heresies as Arianism, Gnosticism and the like.

Why does this have to be so? To be our Savior, Jesus has to be 100% of both. If He were just man, He would not be able to raise from the dead if He died. If He were just God, then He wouldn’t be able to die in the first place. That defeats the purpose of our being “saved.” If you read your bible, you will find several verses that will state the same.

John 10:25, 30-33 says, “Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. The Father and I are one.” Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.””

Romans 9:5 says, “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”

2 Peter 1:1 says, “This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.”

And these are all important so that we can defend our faith when need be. It is also important to state that Jesus is fully man.

Philippians 2:6-11 says, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Matthew 26:38 says, “He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” This proves that He had a human soul capable of sorrow.

Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” This also proves that He had a developing human body and mind.

What’s more, non Christians witnesses also attest to the truth of Jesus’ existence. Tacitus, a Roman and Josephus, who was Jewish, recorded Jesus as a real person executed by Pilate, confirming the historical framework of the gospels. Also, there are over 5,000 Greek copies of New testament manuscripts, making it the most historically verified text of the ancient world. In archaeology, discoveries like the “Pilate stone” and the “Caiaphas Ossuary” prove that the specific people, rulers, and places mentioned  in the story of Jesus were real historical facts and not legends. More so, even the Quran mentions Jesus and is described as completely pure and righteous.

Wy does the Savior of man have to be both God and man? If Jesus is not exactly who he claimed to be, He cannot do what he claimed to have done. The identity of Jesus is not just a theological Math puzzle to solve. It is the structural foundation of our salvation. If you move either of His nature even an inch, the bridge between you and God will collapse. If Jesus is only a man, then the cross is simply a tragedy where a good guy died. But if Jesus is God, then the cross is a rescue mission where the Creator stepped down from heaven, took the hit for His own creation, paid an infinite debt with His own divine blood, and walked out of the grave because death cannot hold the Author of Life.

Who is Jesus to you? Stop settling for a counterfeit Jesus. If your Jesus is just a man who did his best, he cannot save you. If your Jesus is just a distant spirit who never became flesh, he can’t relate or represent you either. Accept the biblical Jesus. Receive the Christ of the scriptures - the one who is high enough to rule the universe as your Lord and Master, yet lowly enough to weep at a grave as your human brother. Surrender to His authority. If He is 100% God and 100% man, he demands more than you casual admiration on a Sunday morning. He deserves your entire life. Make Jesus your Savior, your King and your Master today!