The claim that divides history

The Christian confession rests on a simple, unavoidable claim: Jesus is who He said He is. If His claims are false, He is either deceptive or deluded. If they are true, He is Lord and His words stand over every life.

The trilemma clarifies the stakes for our own hearts and for our mission. As we proclaim Christ, we help people see that neutrality toward Jesus is not an option. He forces a verdict.

What Jesus actually claimed

Jesus did not offer Himself merely as a teacher or example. He spoke with God’s authority and identified Himself with God’s unique prerogatives. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). He also declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). His works and words matched these claims.

He forgave sins as One possessing divine right: “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). The early church understood this and testified accordingly: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Scripture says He was “making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

Could He be a liar

A deliberate deceiver would show signs of moral corruption, mixed motives, and falsehood. Instead, Scripture and history give the opposite portrait. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). Pilate declared, “I find no basis for a charge against Him” (John 19:6). As High Priest He is “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26).

Christ’s character coheres with His claims. His teaching is pure and penetrating. “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” (John 7:46). He called for a costly obedience that offers no worldly advantage to liars. He went to the cross rather than retract a single word (John 12:32; Matthew 24:35).

Consider these markers that undercut the liar hypothesis:

- Sinless integrity affirmed by friends and foes (1 Peter 2:22; John 19:4–6).

- Zeal for truth at personal loss (John 18:37).

- Fulfilled predictions and signs in public view (John 2:19–22; Acts 2:22–24).

- Willing death rather than manipulation for gain (John 10:11, 18).

Could He be a legend

The legend claim collapses under the weight of early, eyewitness testimony. “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths … but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). Luke wrote to secure “the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3–4). Paul anchored the gospel in verifiable history: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

The resurrection accounts arose in the very places where these events occurred. As Paul told Agrippa, the events surrounding Jesus were not private: “it was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26).

Key reasons the legend option fails:

- Early creedal testimony within living memory (1 Corinthians 15:3–6).

- Eyewitness appeal and careful investigation (Luke 1:1–4; 2 Peter 1:16).

- Public proclamation in hostile contexts that could check the claims (Acts 2:22–36).

- The transformation and martyrdom of witnesses (Acts 4:19–20; 5:29–32).

- Counter-claims that concede an empty tomb rather than produce a body (Matthew 28:11–15).

So is He Lord

The apostles preached the straightforward conclusion: “Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Confession aligns with reality. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Lordship is not a slogan. It is the living reality of the risen Christ who now reigns. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10–11). He bears the divine titles and prerogatives: “I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17–18).

The gospel we proclaim

The gospel is not advice but news. It is God’s saving action in history for sinners. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We call all people to repentance and faith because salvation is found in Him alone. “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The gospel essentials we carry into every conversation:

- Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose, and appeared (1 Corinthians 15:3–6).

- Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

- One God, one Mediator, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

- The call to confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10).

- New life in the Son (1 John 5:12).

Discipleship under His authority

The risen Lord commands the church to make disciples of all nations. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me … make disciples … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18–20). Discipleship rests on His lordship and presence.

This shapes how we live and lead:

- Obedience to His commandments with love as the badge of discipleship (John 14:15; John 13:34–35).

- Denial of self, cross-bearing, and daily following (Matthew 16:24).

- Devotion to His word and the whole counsel of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Acts 20:27).

- Corporate worship, ordinances, and mutual edification (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

- Bold witness joined with humility and gentleness (2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:15).

Speaking with clarity in the public square

Gospel workers meet recurring claims in conversation. Clarity, charity, and Scripture serve the mission.

- Claim: All religions ultimately say the same. Response: “Salvation exists in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Jesus alone is the crucified and risen Lord.

- Claim: Jesus never claimed to be God. Response: John 8:58; John 10:30; Mark 2:5. The apostles confessed Him as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

- Claim: The Gospels are late legends. Response: Luke 1:1–4; 2 Peter 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3–6. The testimony is early, eyewitness, and public.

- Claim: Miracles are impossible. Response: God “has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). The resurrection grounds Christian confidence.

- Claim: Morality is enough without Jesus. Response: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

Encouragement for weary workers

The Lord who sends us also sustains us. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He feeds and fills those who serve His mission. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35).

His risen presence steadies our hands and hearts. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He holds the keys and keeps His own to the end (Revelation 1:18; Jude 24–25).

Conclusion: Confess and proclaim

Jesus is not a liar and not a legend. He is Lord. Therefore we confess Him before men, proclaim Him to the nations, and teach His people to observe all He commanded.

“We do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).

The Law, Prophets, and Writings point to the Christ who would suffer and reign. Jesus taught the same: “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself” (Luke 24:27). The Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39).

Consider a sampling of prophetic threads:

- Birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

- Suffering Servant pierced and bearing iniquity (Isaiah 53:5–6; Zechariah 12:10).

- Crucifixion details (Psalm 22:16, 18).

- Resurrection glimpses (Psalm 16:10).

- Universal and everlasting dominion of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14).

Why the resurrection is the best explanation

The resurrection stands at the center of apostolic proclamation. Jesus announced it, accomplished it, and appears as the Living One (John 2:19–22; Revelation 1:18).

Key converging lines of evidence:

- Burial and empty tomb attested early and publicly (Matthew 27:57–28:10; Acts 13:29–31).

- Multiple appearances to individuals and groups, including skeptics (1 Corinthians 15:5–8; John 20–21).

- Transformation of the apostles and the birth of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:32; Acts 4:13).

- The Lord’s Day practice and the sacraments centered on His death and life (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

- Explanation capacity: the resurrection accounts for the data far better than theft, hallucination, or legend (Acts 26:26).

Trusting the Gospels as historical testimony

The Gospels are faithful accounts rooted in eyewitness memory and careful composition. Luke gives his aim plainly: “to write an orderly account … so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3–4).

Reasons for confidence:

- Apostolic origin or oversight (Luke with Paul; Mark with Peter; Matthew and John as apostles).

- Early authorship within living memory.

- Embarrassing details unlikely in fabrication (Mark 8:33; Matthew 28:17).

- Coherence with early creeds and apostolic preaching (1 Corinthians 15:3–6; Acts 10:39–43).

- Harmony with known geography, customs, and archaeology (John 5:2; Luke 3:1–2).

Jesus’ divine identity in the New Testament

The New Testament consistently ascribes to Jesus names, attributes, works, and worship due to God alone. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

The portrait is comprehensive:

- Creator and sustainer (Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 1:3).

- Our great God and Savior (Titus 2:13).

- Receiver of prayer and worship (Acts 7:59–60; Matthew 28:17).

- Judge of all (Acts 17:31; John 12:48).

- Lord confessed by the whole creation (Philippians 2:10–11).

The triune shape of mission

Our mission flows from and returns to the triune God. We baptize “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The grace and fellowship we enjoy is triune: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

This shapes ministry rhythms:

- God-centered worship that exalts the Son to the Father by the Spirit.

- Prayer and dependence in the Spirit’s power for witness (Acts 1:8).

- Teaching that traces every doctrine to the triune life of God.

Lordship and everyday obedience

Jesus’ lordship claims the whole of life. He commands, teaches, corrects, and comforts by His word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Practical pathways under His reign:

- Scripture first and last in shaping belief and practice (Matthew 4:4).

- Repentance as a daily reflex and faith as a daily posture (Mark 1:15).

- Holiness and love as the family resemblance (1 Peter 1:15–16; John 13:34–35).

- Stewardship of time, treasure, and talents for gospel advance (1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

- Suffering with hope and joy (1 Peter 4:12–16; Romans 5:3–5).

A toolbox for evangelistic conversations

The Lord sends us to speak, and He supplies what we need. “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage, with complete patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Simple helps for clear, Christ-centered engagement:

- Start with who Jesus is and what He did (1 Corinthians 1:23; 15:3–4).

- Use clear, short Scripture portions and let the text speak (Hebrews 4:12).

- Keep the resurrection central as God’s public proof (Acts 17:31; Romans 1:4).

- Clarify grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

- Invite confession of Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10).

- Encourage ongoing discovery through the Gospels and local church community (Acts 2:42–47).

Passages to memorize and share

- Identity of Christ: John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:15–17; Hebrews 1:3.

- Gospel core: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18.

- Call to respond: Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9–10; John 3:16.

- Discipleship and mission: Matthew 28:18–20; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:10–11.

Guarding the gospel you carry

Contend for the faith with courage and care. “Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Do not drift from the grace once received. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:8).

Stand firm as you serve. “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven … Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10). If Jesus is Lord, the church has her message, her mandate, and her hope forever.