Jesus did not beat around bush when talking about who He was. He made it very clear that He was Son of God. Time after time He refers to fact that He is God's Son or that He should be treated as such.

When Jesus performed His miracles in cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum people rejected Him. They did not recognize Him as Son of God. Jesus therefore reproached or condemned them for their disbelief. In account of this in Matthew Jesus tells us specifically that all authority has been given to Him: "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father..." (Matthew 11:27a)

If indeed Jesus is Son of God, and has authority and power over all things, then we - creation of God - should give honor and praise to Jesus. Jesus taught this to His disciples: "that all should honor Son just as they honor Father. He who does not honor Son does not honor Father who sent Him." (John 5:23) John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to this earth so that those who believed in Him could have eternal life. For God to do this for us, and for us to not give Jesus honor due Him would be a terrible thing. Jesus also told us many things about Himself that shows that He is Son of God. He said that He was sent by His Father into world (John 8:42). He said that He had been appointed judge over all mankind (Matthew 25:31-41). He said that only way man can receive salvation, only way to Father was through Him (John 14:6). Jesus told us that His blood was shed for remission of sins for many, or for all that accept Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 26:28). And finally, Jesus said that He could submit Himself to die and raise from dead under His own power (John 10:18).

In a court of law, if there are two witness who will confirm same set of facts to be true, it is very difficult for apposing attorneys to disprove their testimony. In fifth chapter of John we have recorded for us not two, but four forms of witness concerning fact that Jesus is Son of God. In verses 31-35 we have witness of John Baptist, in verse 36 there is witness of works of Christ, in verses 37 and 38 we have witness of Father, and in verses 39 through 47 we have witness of Scriptures.

In like manner, four gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - also bear witness to life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and deity of Jesus Christ.

"When Jesus came into region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are Christ, Son of living God.'" (Matthew 16:13-16) Even today people will say that Jesus was someone other than Son of God. Some say He was a good man, but not Son of God. Others will say He was a prophet, a great teacher, or a great religious leader but reject Him as Son of God. Still others say that He was an impostor, or even from Satan. If Jesus is really Son of God (and He is), then we should follow His teachings and obey His gospel. So important question for you is not who do others say that He is, but who do you say that Jesus is? I say that Jesus is Christ, Son of living God.

One of most beautiful parts of Bible, in my opinion, are places where Jesus is called by various names. All these names point to or show that He is God's Son. Let me give you some examples of these beautiful names.

"And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:16)

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in churches. I am Root and Offspring of David, Bright and Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16)

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away sin of world!'" (John 2:29)

"This is stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become chief cornerstone." (Acts 4:11)

"But one of elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Behold, Lion of tribe of Judah, Root of David, has prevailed to open scroll and to loose its seven seals.'" (Revelation 5:5)

I am closing this article with a passage from Old Testament. It does not speak about Jesus specifically, but I feel that message is still applicable. "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

All scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org

The manuscripts from Dead Sea Scrolls, along with Septuagint and Targums allowed scholars to examine Old Testament text. These examinations show that we have an Old Testament text free from error. This is due to obvious love that Jews had for scriptures and careful attention they gave to making transcripts of various texts.

The Old Testament text was written over a period of more than 1400 years. However, New Testament text was written approximately between 50 - 100 A.D., a span of about fifty years. At first written text of New Testament was in form of letters (epistles) from some of Apostles and early church leaders to various churches given for instruction. As time passed, these letters were circulated around to other churches and were considered authoritative instruction. During this period of time those who new Christ and could witness to His work shared their experiences with churches by word of mouth. As number of churches grew and need for these churches to be instructed in events of Christ's life grew, what we know as four gospels came into being. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John put in writing events of life and ministry of Jesus so that all churches could learn from their witness.

The book of Acts, historical account of early church and how it grew, was a natural outgrowth of this process. And finally, book of Revelation was given to encourage Christian to keep faith till end and welcome a victorious Christ.

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and New Testament was written in Greek. We also have Old Testament text paraphrased in Aramaic (Targums).

Even though we do not have original manuscripts of Bible in existence today, much care has been taken to preserve Word of God by His people. We said earlier that painstaking transcription of Old Testament was evident in comparison of existing Old Testament texts with those found in Dead Sea Scrolls. We also know that New Testament text is accurate because early church fathers wrote extensively and quoted from scripture often. It has been said that perhaps all New Testament could be reconstructed just using quotes from early church fathers in their many secular writings. As centuries have passed since church was established several translations of Bible have been made. Much care and scholarly attention has been given to these translations to insure textual accuracy.

The oldest translation of complete Bible text (Old and New Testaments) dates to about 150 A.D. It is known as Old Latin version. Jerome revised Old Latin version around 382 and this revision became known as Latin Vulgate.

John Wycliffe was first to translate Bible into English. His translation was made from Latin version in 1382. The first person to publish an edition of Greek text was Erasmus in 1516. William Tyndale was first to publish an English translation based upon Greek text. Tyndale's translation was made in 1530's.

The King James Version or Authorized Version was made in 1611. The English Revised version appeared in 1885. The more modern translations all came into existence in 1900's: American Standard Version - 1901, Revised Standard Version - 1932, and New International Version - 1978.

The Word of God has withstood test of time. Moses set forth, by God's direction, to write first Bible text almost 3500 years ago. Yet today we have words Moses as well as all those who followed in one glorious book we affectionately call Holy Bible. It is a book that is loved and revered by millions of people all over world. It is a book that has been bombarded through ages by unbelievers in attempts to discredit it. But it is a book that has been preserved by God, for His people. As Timothy writes, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

All scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org