Misconceptions Concerning Christ

Misconceptions Concerning Christ

By David J. Stewart

       There are many misconceptions concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. False religions have portrayed Jesus Christ as everything from a space alien to merely a myth. Many people believe that Jesus was only a prophet. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God, Almighty God. He came to earth as the Son of God, God in the flesh. He has existed and will exist for all eternity, without beginning or end. Jesus was never created but He is the Creator of all things. Jesus existed in heaven before He ever took on the form of a man in the flesh. At times, Jesus made physical appearances in the Old Testament (to Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Nebuchadnezzar, etc). Jesus is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (everywhere). Jesus lives within the heart of every Believer as the Holy Spirit. Jesus is named as the second person of the Godhead—One God Who has manifest (revealed) Himself to mankind in the form of three distinct individual Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. By the way, the Holy Spirit is a person. I often hear Believers say, “something spoke to my heart.” That “something” is the Holy Spirit. Do you recognize the Holy Spirit in your life? Every Believer needs to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence and welcome Him because He is God and He already lives within your heart.
 

Jesus is Almighty God

Perhaps you ask, “can a person be saved if he or she doesn’t believe that Jesus is God?” The Answer is that a saved person WILL believe that Jesus is God. A saved person WILL believe in the virgin birth of Christ. A saved person WILL believe that Christ died on the cross. Now when I accepted Christ as my Savior as a teenager, I had never heard of the deity of Christ. I didn’t know that Jesus was God until a few years later, BUT when I learned that Jesus was God I readily accepted that truth and have never doubted it one time since. The Holy Spirit bared witness with my spirit that this was the truth. If you were to tell me that you do NOT believe Jesus is God, then I would have no doubt that you are NOT saved. No way! Listen to the Words of Christ, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). If you look in your King James Bible, the pronoun “he” is in italics. Italics were added by the 48 King James translators because they felt it was necessary to add clarity to the original meaning. One language doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing in another language so the translators had the great responsibility of making sure that the proper original meaning was conveyed into the translated Bible. The added words were put into italics by the translators out of fear of making a mistake. They left the final decision up to us—This was very scholarly of them because they wanted to be as honest and accurate as possible in their translating work. This allows us to decipher the meaning for ourselves without any translator’s bias. You won’t find any italics in other versions of the Bible—They all foolishly assume they are correct. The result is much heresy and errors. The King James Bible is a beautiful work of art and scholarship. So what John 8:24 literally says is “I AM.” Jesus was claiming to be the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” If you don’t believe me then take a look at John 8:57,58, “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.” Jesus claimed that He existed before Abraham was ever born! This made the Jews very angry because they knew what Jesus was claiming—to be God Almighty. They began to stone Jesus, “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59). Jesus said that the person who does not believe that He is the “I AM” will die in their sins. Do you believe Jesus is the “I AM?”

You MUST Believe Upon the Biblical Jesus to Be Saved

Ignorance concerning Christ won’t keep you from being saved BUT a misconception of Who He is may. If you will only believe on the “True” Christ—You may be saved!!! The only way to be saved is to simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ apart from all else. However, if you’ve been taught that Jesus is not God and you refuse to admit that your thinking is corrupt, you are in danger of hell fire! You must believe on the correct Jesus. You must acknowledge Christ as He is. If you only view Christ as a prophet or as a good man, you can trust him all you want but it won’t do you any good because you have found another Jesus. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER JESUS, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2nd Corinthians 11:3,4). The Apostle Paul warned of false prophets who would bring in damnable heresies, teaching ANOTHER JESUS which was not of the Scriptures. If you say that you are trusting Christ AND keeping the seven sacraments to be saved, then you have never completely trusted Christ. I have witnessed to many folks who will tell me that they are trusting Jesus AND something else (baptism, good works, church membership, confirmation, confession, religion, Saint Anthony, uncle Joe, etc). You must trust Christ alone to save you! You must come empty-handed to the Savior if you want to be saved—You can bring nothing of your own to merit salvation—It must all be of Jesus because only Jesus can save.

       Our faith + Jesus and good works = hell

       Our faith + Jesus = heaven

It’s as simple as that folks!

       Our faith + the wrong Jesus = hell

       Our faith + the true Jesus = heaven

We must make sure we are completely trusting the “Jesus” of the Scriptures and not some mythical or fictitious Jesus. Most religions have a misconception of Christ and nearly all false religions diminish Christ’s deity. We read in John 6:40? “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which SEETH THE SON, and BELIEVETH ON HIM, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Do you see Jesus? How do you see Him? Have you been viewing a counterfeit Jesus? Hopefully you have found the true Jesus and are trusting Him. This chapter “misconceptions concerning Christ” has been written to help you see the correct Jesus of the Bible. All you need to do is simply believe on Him. Call upon His name for salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus will not disappoint you.

When I became a Christian, I was green behind the ears and very ignorant concerning Who Christ was; however, I did not have a distorted image of Who Christ was either. There’s a big difference. If I had been in a false religion or had been influenced by a corrupted perversion of the Bible, I would have had a more difficult time getting saved. Why? Because I would have had to admit my thinking was wrong in order to grasp the truth. This is very difficult for some people. False religion is one of the most common methods which Satan uses to blind people. I’ve often said, “The hardest thing about getting people saved is getting them lost.” Fortunately, when I was saved it was only a matter of accepting and believing the truth. All I knew was that I was a lost sinner and needed Jesus to save me. I only knew that Jesus had died on the cross for me. That’s all you need to know to be saved. God only requires a child-like faith to be saved. Salvation is NOT difficult.
 

Many People Have the Wrong Jesus

The problem is that many people have been taught misconceptions concerning Christ. As I’ve already mentioned, you’d be surprised how many people will say they’re trusting Jesus AND SOMETHING ELSE. This is NOT acceptable to God. Seventh-Day Adventists claim to have faith in Christ yet will tell you that their faith in Christ alone cannot save. They believe that when a person dies that their works follow them afterwards. In other words, the bad or good they did in life can have an affect on their salvation after they’re dead and gone. They believe that Jesus will decide whether or not they are worthy to be resurrected and enter heaven. This of course is a lie and totally unscriptural. To be saved, these folks would have to admit the errors of their thinking and then turn to Christ ALONE for salvation. No one is worthy to be saved, no one. Salvation is a GIFT from God, paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. If we believe on Jesus, that ALONE is perfectly sufficient and acceptable to God for salvation.

I AM simply saying that you CANNOT be saved if you willfully maintain certain distorted views of Who Jesus really is. Certain misconceptions would not matter. For example: some people view God as a big ogre up in heaven with a big stick ready to beat us over the head when we sin. This is FAR from the truth! However, this misconception would NOT keep a person from getting saved. However, If you believe as Islamic Muslims do—that Jesus never died on the cross—then you CANNOT be saved until you repent of your unbelief, you are an unbeliever. Sadly, there are over one billion Muslims in the world who do not believe that Jesus was ever crucified. “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him” (Proverbs 26:12). “Conceit” (stubborn pride) has sent billions of unrepentant souls to hell. We must NOT create God in our own image. There are over one billion Roman Catholics in this world who believe sacraments and good works are necessary to salvation. They believe that Mary (Jesus’ earthly mother) is a co-savior with Jesus. This is a lie of the devil and NOT found in God’s Word. Mary was a mere human, no more. She is no different in heaven today than any other saint in heaven. She is a sinner saved by grace, as ALL God’s Children are. The Bible says there is more hope for a complete fool than for someone who is too blinded by pride to admit the errors of their way. It is a foolish thing to create God in our own image. We must realize that we are created in God’s image. Good works are NOT a necessary part of salvation and WILL prevent you from being saved if you trust in them for salvation. Mary CANNOT save you and praying to her is idolatry. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you THE TRUTH?” (Galatians 4:16). This is plain old-fashioned Bible teaching.
 

Satan is a Master Deceiver and Counterfeiter

Many of the misconceptions concerning Christ have resulted from watered-down perversions of the Bible. There are many counterfeit bibles selling on the market and being used in churches today. It should NOT surprise you to learn such a thing, for the devil is a master counterfeiter. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, TRANSFORMING themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is TRANSFORMED into an angel of light” (2nd Corinthians 11:13,14). The word “transformed” here means that Satan has the ability to “change” his appearance. He comes to us as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He offers us a new and better bible. He offers us a new religion, another Jesus. The devil promises us a better life that he CANNOT deliver. We must not be ignorant of Satan’s tactics or methods. It’s been said, “Satan is to be dreaded as a lion, dreaded even more as a serpent and dreaded most of all as an angel.”

Many misconceptions about Christ have their source in people’s ignorance concerning God’s Word. The following Scriptures reveal the Heavenly father’s desire concerning our attitude towards Christ. “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM” (Matthew 17:1-5). Moses and Elijah had appeared. Peter said he wanted to build three tabernacles: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. God the Father stepped in and said, No way! You magnify Jesus only! The message is clear—we must worship, praise and listen to the Words of Jesus Christ only. “And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, SAVE JESUS ONLY” (Matthew 17:6-8). God wanted to make sure that only Jesus was worshipped and glorified so He immediately removed Moses and Elijah. Peter, James and John looked up and only Jesus remained. This is a lesson to us also that ONLY JESUS is to be worshipped; not Mary, not the Pope, not Allah, not Buddha, not Confucius, not a denomination, not a religion, not a man—ONLY JESUS. Beware of any doctrine, religion or person that diminishes (makes less) of Jesus Christ in any way.
 

Misconceptions Concerning Christ as Creator

Another misconception concerning Christ is that he was created with Lucifer—This is a lie. Jesus is the Creator of the universe, He was NOT created. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4). Jesus is the Word that is God. It is Jesus Christ Who created ALL things. This should not be a surprise in the least seeing that Jesus is Almighty God. God had no creator for He has no beginning. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: FOR BY HIM WERE ALL THINGS CREATED, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:14-17). “Firstborn” refers to the fact that Jesus was the first to receive the resurrected body. We will receive our resurrected bodies at the rapture when Jesus returns “FOR His own.” Jesus came the first time “TO His own” when in Israel, He is coming at the rapture “FOR His own” and Christ will return seven years after the rapture “WITH His own” at the second coming. We read in Acts 17:25, “GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD and all things therein, seeing that HE IS LORD of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing HE GIVETH TO ALL LIFE, AND BREATH, AND ALL THINGS.” Jesus is the Creator! Jesus is the Lord! Jesus is God! The Eternal Godhead of the universe walked this earth in the visible body of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).
 

Misconceptions Concerning the Godhead (Trinity)

The doctrine of the trinity is often attacked by false religion and the unbelieving. The word “trinity” is NOT in the Bible, but the word “Godhead” most certainly is. This doctrine cannot be denied for it is taught throughout the Bible. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and WE will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Who is “We?” God the Father and God the Son of course. When you accept Christ into your heart as your Savior, you get the full package. If you are saved, God the Father and God the Son live in your heart in the form of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit merges and unites with your dead spirit at salvation and you are “quickened” or “made alive.” “And you hath he QUICKENED, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). If you are saved, you don’t have a problem believing in the trinity because He lives in your heart. I say “He” because there is only ONE GOD. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is ONE LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4). There is only ONE God. Those who believe in the trinity are sometimes accused of being “polytheists” (a belief in multiple god’s). This of course is far from the truth.

The Bible teaches that there is only ONE true and living God. However, we cannot dismiss the fact that this ONE God has revealed Himself to mankind as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons all equal in power, might and knowledge. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT of CHRIST, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). This Scripture is clear—if you do NOT have the Holy Spirit living within your heart—you are NOT a Child of God. Notice that the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of Christ.” This is simply because they are both one in the same Spirit of the same ONE God. Jesus Christ lives within my heart as the Holy Spirit. They are the same God, yet two distinct persons. Notice the Bible prophecy concerning Christ in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is born (Jesus), unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder (during the Millennium): and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever…” What a wonderful promise from God! One can only await with great anticipation for the day when Christ will reign and the world will be under His perfect government—no more political scandals, no more corruption, no more bribes, no more favoritism, no more injustice, no more treason, no more lies, no more taking advantage of the less fortunate. What a day that will be!

Notice the phrase, “the EVERLASTING FATHER” in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus is called the “Everlasting Father.” Jesus and the Father are ONE. Jesus is as much the Father as the Father is the Father, yet they are two distinct persons. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST” (Matthew 28:19). Three persons, ONE God. If you are saved, you believe this—You may not understand it, but you wholeheartedly believe it. “But wisdom is justified of all her children” (Luke 7:35). Are you a Child of Wisdom, a Child of God? Notice the powerful words of Romans 1:20, “ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse.” We covered this in an earlier chapter. “Godhead” refers to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The invisible spirit world is clearly seen by the things which are made. This means that every person knew at one time in their life that there was a God. It is only when a person fails to glorify God in their life that their foolish heart is darkened and grows cold.

I don’t believe anyone is born an atheist. Somewhere at some point in their life, they knew God. Life and people can sometimes be cruel. This often turns many people away from God and His Word. They fail to differentiate between God and religion. God is God and religion is religion—don’t confuse the Two. I’m saying, don’t blame God because man fails you! Religion can often be a very bad thing. The great preacher and pastor, D.L. Moody, once said, “People have just enough religion to be miserable.” This is so true. Let’s take a look at another Scripture concerning the “Godhead.” “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the GODHEAD bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Jesus came to this earth as God (the Son) in the Flesh, but He was also the Father and the Holy Spirit in the flesh. Jesus had the absolute fullness of the Holy Spirit, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God GIVETH NOT THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE UNTO HIM” (John 3:34). Jesus had unlimited power while on the earth. He said He could have called twelve legions of angels to come to His rescue if He simply spoke the word (Matthew 26:53). Jesus had the Holy Spirit “without measure.” This is amazing!

As Believers, the Holy Spirit “indwelt” us at salvation. That is to say, the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) moved into our heart and united with our spirit (which was dead). We became a Child of God, a member of the body (family) of Christ. This simply means that He came into our heart to live forever. He united with our spirit in a spiritual marriage. However, even though God now lives in our heart, we need to daily “yield” our will to obey His will. To do so brings the “fullness” of the Holy Spirit. You see, the Holy Spirit can’t fill our mind and heart if we are full of ourselves. If we want the fullness of the spirit, we must empty our minds of the world and fill it with God’s Word. We must keep our heart close to the Lord in truth, gratitude, humility and holy fear. The Christian life can only be lived ON PURPOSE. This requires a sincere desire on our part to live according to God’s Word. Many people do not want to live for God. However, Jesus had the 100% fullness of the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in the Bible is it ever said of any other man that he had the Holy Spirit “without measure”—This was only said concerning our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Truly this was the Son of God, God reincarnate.
 

Jesus Died for the Sins of the Whole World

Another misconception concerning Christ is that He only died for Adam. Others believe that Jesus only died for the saved. These are erroneous teachings. 1st Corinthians 5:21 reads, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Some people believe this verse only applies to the saved because “us” and “we” refer to the Believers unto Whom this epistle of Paul was written. Though this letter was indeed written to the Believers at the Church of Corinth, we must consider other Scriptures before making such faulty assumptions. The Bible says in 1st Timothy 2:4-6, “Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.” “ALL” people everywhere may be saved. God is no respecter of persons and “ALL” are welcome at the feet of Jesus. “For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). God says, “WHOSOEVER” desires salvation may come to Jesus for salvation—that means anybody. “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” (John 3:16). There’s that word “WHOSOEVER” again. Notice that God loves the entire world. God loves people—all people, in every nation, of every race, of every background, of every village, of every upbringing, of every heartache, of every deformity, of every handicap, of every mistake, of every sin, of every attitude, of every religion, of every belief—God loves people! “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (the promise of His return), as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE” (2nd Peter 3:9). God loves ALL people and does NOT want one single sinner to perish into hell. God doesn’t send anyone to hell, we choose to go there by our own unbelief and love for sin. The Scripture we just read tells us why Jesus hasn’t returned yet—because God is patiently waiting for more sinners to repent and get saved. God wants people to repent of their “unbelief.”
 

There is Only One Jesus; but Many Fakes

Don’t be deceived folks, there is only ONE Jesus. All of the misconceptions concerning Christ are simply decoys which Satan has cleverly conceived to prevent people from being saved, “In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath BLINDED THE MINDS of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2nd Corinthians 4:4). Don’t you see my friend? The devil is a master liar and counterfeiter. More people will burn in hell someday because of religion than probably anything else. I’ll say it again, salvation is NOT found in a religion but in a person—Jesus Christ!!! Do you have salvation? Have you found Jesus yet? Have you asked Him into your heart? Have you admitted to Him your wickedness and asked Him for forgiveness? Only Jesus has the scars so ONLY Jesus can save!!! Only Jesus shed His blood for your sins so ONLY Jesus can wipe the slate clean. If you want to be saved, come as an empty-handed sinner to Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness. You’ll bring nothing but you’ll leave with everything and then some. Don’t bring your good works with you—God will not accept them. Don’t bring baptism, kindness or religion—God will not save you if you do. You MUST come empty-handed, offering nothing for salvation. Salvation is of God, we deserve nothing except eternal fire in hell. Leave your misconceptions behind and turn to the True and Living Christ—Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, Creator, Saviour, Lord of lords and King of kings, the I AM, the Alpha and the Omega (the Beginning and the End), the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Resurrection, the Spirit of Christ, the Door, the Good Shepherd, and Friend.

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