Video Transcript: Who Is Jesus: Religious Teacher or Incarnate Lord?

Video 9B: Who Is Jesus: Religious Teacher or Incarnate Lord?

Christians and Scientologists may both use the name Jesus, but using the same name does not always mean holding the same belief.

A respectful gospel conversation must therefore move beyond the question, “Do you believe in Jesus?”

A more helpful question is, “Who do you understand Jesus to be?”

Christian faith does not begin by describing Jesus merely as a wise teacher, spiritual example, moral guide, or advanced religious figure.

Christianity confesses that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became truly human without ceasing to be divine.

John 1 teaches that the Word was with God and was God. It then declares that the Word became flesh and lived among us.

This is the Christian doctrine of the incarnation.

The Creator did not become part of creation because humanity discovered a spiritual technique. God freely came to rescue his creation.

Jesus was born, experienced bodily life, faced temptation, knew sorrow, suffered injustice, and died a real human death. His humanity was not an appearance or a temporary instrument. The eternal Son truly took on human nature.

Jesus also lived without sin. He revealed the Father, proclaimed God’s kingdom, forgave sins, healed the sick, confronted evil, welcomed outsiders, and called people to follow him.

His death was not merely the death of a religious teacher. On the cross, Jesus bore sin, defeated the powers of evil, reconciled sinners to God, and demonstrated God’s holy love.

His resurrection was also bodily.

The disciples did not simply report that Jesus continued as a spiritual presence. They proclaimed that the crucified Jesus had been raised from the dead.

The risen Christ ate with his disciples, spoke with them, and was recognized by them. His resurrection is the beginning of God’s promised new creation.

This matters because Christian salvation depends upon who Jesus is and what Jesus accomplished.

We are not saved merely by using Jesus’ teachings to increase our spiritual ability. We are saved by Jesus himself.

He is not one spiritual guide among many. He is the incarnate Lord, crucified Savior, and risen King.

When speaking with someone influenced by Scientology, do not assume that familiar words have familiar meanings.

Ask thoughtful questions.

“What have you been taught about Jesus?”

“What does the title Son of God mean to you?”

“What do you believe happened when Jesus died?”

“What do you believe Christians mean when they say that Jesus rose from the dead?”

Listen carefully. Do not mock the answer or use the questions as traps.

Then explain your Christian standpoint openly.

You might say, “Christians believe Jesus is more than a teacher. We believe the eternal Son of God became human, died for our sins, and rose bodily from the dead. Would you be willing to explore why Christians make that confession?”

The gospel invitation is not merely an invitation to admire Jesus.

It is an invitation to trust him.

Jesus calls people to turn from self-rule, receive forgiveness, and enter a restored relationship with God.

Christians do not claim religious neutrality when speaking about Jesus. We openly confess that Scripture directs our understanding and that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The central Christian question is therefore not only, “Can Jesus help me become more spiritually capable?”

It is, “Who is Jesus, and will I entrust myself to him?”